Jazz music is noted for its use of swinging rhythms, complex chord structures and progressions, blue notes, unconventional compositions, and improvisation. Although it exists in many forms, Jazz tends to feature certain instruments that contribute to its sophisticated sounds. Vincent Barletta, jazz enthusiast, invites you to take a closer look at what makes jazz so jazzy.

Wind Machines

While jazz recordings and performances include various types of instruments, there are some that are signature to traditional and modern jazz sounds. Whereas strings and guitars tend to take center stage in classical and rock genres, jazz is often all about the horns:

• Saxophone: The sax may be far and away the instrument most associated with jazz music globally. From big bands to jazz combos, the saxophone is heavily featured both as a solo instrument and in ensembles. The alto sax and tenor sax are the most prominent of this family. Baritone saxes are usually found in big bands, while the soprano sax can often be heard as a solo horn.
• Trumpet: Trumpets are also very popular in jazz as solo and ensemble instruments. It’s not uncommon to hear a jazz song that features trumpets “screaming” at the top of their range, providing brightness to the overall sound.
• Trombone: While solo trombonists aren’t as common, trombones do the heavy lifting when it comes to the lower sounds of a jazz ensemble. Some bands also include a bass trombone.

Rhythm Section

Vincent Barletta points out here that it “don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing.” How can it swing without a swinging rhythm? These instruments make up the rhythm section, responsible for the beat, pulse, and feel of a song:

• Piano: The piano is sometimes featured as a solo instrument, but usually provides the chord progressions that give a song its structure and color. Depending on the style of jazz, the piano can be acoustic or electric. Some songs also include organs and synthesizers.
• Bass: While one might think that the drums is responsible for the rhythm, it’s the bass that provides the heartbeat. Some songs feature the double bass (or bass violin), while many use electric bass.
• Drums: Usually represented as a drum set or trap set, the drums set the tempo or speed. They are chiefly responsible for the percussive elements in jazz. Other types of drums are prominent in African and Latin styles such as the congas, the bongos, and the timbales. 
• Guitar: SImilar to the piano, the guitar can be both a solo instrument or one that provides accompanying chords. The jazz guitar has a tone that is distinct from that of an acoustic guitar or rock guitar, though there are jazz pieces that feature those types of guitars. 

Other Instruments

While almost any instrument can show up in jazz music, Vincent Barletta explains these are less common and their usage varies among styles and subgenres. These include the flute, the clarinet, the bass clarinet, and melodic percussive instruments such as the vibraphone, marimba, and xylophone.