etrinida@scf.usc.edu writes: Other people would use definitions of acid jazz based on philosophy, fashion, politics, etc. As a musician, I prefer to define acid jazz using musical elements. Most acid jazz I hear has these elements:
Drums - playing funk/hip-hop rhythms, focusing on basic beat (not many tom fills, etc), lots of shuffle play on the snare, which is usually a metal or brass piccolo snare.
Percussion - if existent, plays afro-latin style rhythms on congas, or syncopated shaker/cabasa rhythms. Tempo is usually no lower than 88bpm nor higher than 116bpm.
Bass - usually melodic, played straight with fingers (i.e. no slapping, popping, pick playing). Occasionally standup acoustic bass is used.
Guitar - jazz/funk chords (9ths/11ths/13ths) played in high registers, usually played clean or through wah-wah pedal. No powerchords.
Keyboards - simple keyboard arrangements (i.e. one or two keyboard instruments are present at one time), usually focusing on basic keyboard sounds (i.e. piano, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Organ), occasional strings.
Horns - Horn section, usually sax/trumpet/trombone trio, sometimes with flute. Usually playing tight unison lines
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