In Chapter Three, when Nick describes Gatsby's parties, he starts by saying, "There was music from my neighbor’s house through the summer nights." A little farther down he describes the orchestra that plays this music at Gatsby's parties:
By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums.
By "no thin five-piece affair," Nick is probably alluding to the five-piece band that would usually be hired for typical New York parties.
The orchestra plays jazz music and guests dance the Charleston and other flapper dances. During one of Gatsby's parties, the narrator mentions the song playing: "Three O'Clock in the Morning' a neat, sad little waltz of that year" (page 116).
The several references to music and dancing at Gatsby's parties give the reader an image of really extravagant, exciting affairs. The musical references add to the mood of fun and happiness at Gatsby's parties. In contrast, in Chapter Two when Nick goes to New York City with Tom and they have a small party in Tom's rental apartment, there is no mention of music. The atmosphere is smoky, dank, and silly with drunken conversation.
In Chapter Seven, Nick and Gatsby attend a small party at Tom's house in East Egg. Again, there is no mention of music. The atmosphere is hot and stifling in contrast to the cheerful, cool evenings at Gatsby's.
The group goes into New York City and rents a suite at the Plaza Hotel. Although it's hardly a party, they continue drinking whiskey and chatting. There is no music played in the suite, but at one moment they are able to hear the music of "Mendelssohn’s Wedding March from the ballroom below" where somebody is getting married. After the wedding ceremony finishes, Nick and his friends hear jazz music from the ballroom. This reminds Daisy of her wedding with Tom. Wedding music and discussion increases the tension between Tom and Gatsby in this scene.
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