What is Bossa Nova? Easy to understand the differences and characteristics between Jazz and Bossa Nova

2023年07月11日

ジャズとボサノバの違いは何ですか？ボサノバって何ですか？ジャズとは何ですか？発祥の国やリズムなど、ジャズとボサノバの違いを考察します。(English) What is the difference between Jazz and Bossa Nova? What is bossa nova? What is Jazz? We will examine the differences between Jazz and bossa nova, such as the country of origin and the rhythm.

What is Bossa Nova? Easy to understand the differences and characteristics between Jazz and Bossa Nova

- What is the difference between Jazz and Bossa Nova? What is bossa nova? What is Jazz? We will examine the differences between Jazz and bossa nova, such as the country of origin and the rhythm.

Differences between Jazz and other music The first part of this series will explain the three main differences between jazz and bossa nova, which is particularly popular in Japan.

Easy to understand! Three main differences between bossa nova and Jazz

Born in different countries - Brazil and America

Rhythm is different 8-beat and 4-beat　

The central part is another Vocal main part and the main instrumental part

1. Born in different countries: Brazil and America

This is a significant difference. Bossa Nova was born in Brazil, South America, and Jazz in America. Also, Bossa Nova is a relatively new music, dating back to the second half of the 1950s, while Jazz began around 1900. It has a history of more than 100 years. This difference is significant.

2. The rhythm is different eight beat and four-beat

Eight beat divides 1 bar into eight parts, and four-beat divides it into four. Bossa Nova is eight beats, and Jazz is mostly four beats.

Bossa Nova originally came from the two-beat samba. Samba is dance music, so it emphasises rhythm. Samba is played at carnivals in Rio and Asakusa. Bossa Nova is a quiet 8-beat derived from samba but does not emphasise rhythm. The basic rhythm is played on a guitar and does not necessarily require drums or percussion. This is why it has been called "Bossa Nova = new flow".

Developed as dance music, Jazz emphasises rhythm, and much of it is four-beat. This is still true today.

3. The main is different Vocal-based and instrumental-based music

Bossa Nova has a clear origin. In the late 1950s, the composer "Antonio Carlos Jobim" composed the song, the lyricist "Vinicius de Moraes" wrote the lyrics, and the singer and guitarist "Joao Gilberto" sang. It's called "Bossa Nova".

In other words, what can be called pop and popular songs were born in Brazil? It is easily understood that most famous songs and performances relate to these three people.

Jazz began as funeral and background music in entertainment districts and spread as dance music in the 1930s. There are vocals, of course, but it is primarily instrumental. This is a big difference.

"Bossa Nova is a song, Jazz is a performance," and that's OK!