MUSC 219
JAZZ IMPROVISATION II
Catalog Entry
MUSC 219. Jazz Improvisation II (1).
Two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: Completion of MUSC 162 and MUSC 119 with grades of "C" or higher.
Advanced study of Jazz improvisation and performance practices for instrumentalists through directed listening, theoretical analysis, transcription, and performance.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Historical Context of Jazz Music and Improvisation:
I. Directed Listening: Dixieland, Blues, Swing, Bop, Free Jazz, Fusion, Smooth Jazz, Post-Bop, Avante Guard and Free Jazz
II. Structure in Jazz Music and Improvisation
A. Harmonic: Major/Minor tonality, Modal tonality, Blues tonality, Contemporary and Extended Harmonies
Chord Structures and Voicings:
*Rhythm Changes, Tri-tone Substitutions, Altered Dominants, Contemporary Voicings
Chord/Scale Relationships:
*Consonant, Contrasting, Altered
B. Rhythmic: patterns within all jazz styles
*Swing Ballad, Latin, Rock, Funk, Shuffle, Multi-meter, World Grooves
C. Formal:
*Basic jazz form: Head-Bridge Head (A-B-A)/Blues
*Free jazz form
D. Textural:
*Instrumentation, ton quality, inflections, voicings
III. Transcription:
*Selection, Listening, Transcription process, Analysis
IV. Performance:
Improvisatory Techniques:
*Chord/Scale relationships
*Patterns
*Melodic: angular/linear
*Solo Development: contour/form
*Contemporary: consonant vs. contrast, free jazz
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course includes listening, jazz theory lectures and assignments, transcription exercises, and composition-development-performance of improvisations based on jazz standards, contemporary jazz and original compositions.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
After successfully completing the course in Jazz Improvisation, students will be able to:
1. Identify jazz performances indicative of these historic eras: blues, dixieland, swing, bop, avante garde/free jazz, contemporary/fusion jazz, smooth jazz, post-bop.
2. Identify, construct, and voice chords using standard chord symbol notation.
3. Perform basic and contemporary chord voicings at the piano keyboard.
4. Construct, identify, and perform chord-scale relationships that exist within contemporary progression and extended harmonies.
5. Transcribe improvised solos as performed by a jazz artist.
6. Perform and transcribe improvised solos.
Assessment Measures
1. Class attendance and participation
2. Graded assignments:
a. Listening identification
b. Completed transcription of an improvised solo
c. Performance of improvised solos
d. Theory worksheets: chords/voicings
e. Keyboard performance of chords/voicings
Other Course Information
Levine, Mark. The Jazz Theory Book. Petaluna, CA: Scher, 1995
Levine, Mark. The Jazz Piano Book. Petaluna, CA: Scher, 1989
Coker, Jerry. Patterns for Jazz. Lebanon, IN: Studio P/R. 1970
Haerle, Dan. The Jazz Language. Lebanon, IN: Studio P/R. 1981
Haerle, Dan. Jazz Tunes for Improvisation. Lebanon, IN: Studio P/R. 1981
Alfred Basic Adult Jazz/Rock Course (book/CD)
Alfred Mastertracks Jazz series (book/CD)
Berg, Shelly. Essentials of Jazz Theory Book 1-2-3. Alfred. 2004
Aebersold, Jamie. Play-A-Long series
Bergonzi, Jerry. Contemporary Improvisation series
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED
February, 2006