MUSC 119
JAZZ IMPROVISATION I
Catalog Entry
MUSC 119. Jazz Improvisation I (1).
Two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: Completion of MUSC 111 with a grade of "C" or better.
Introduction to Jazz improvisation and performance practices for instrumentalists and vocalists 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
II. Structure in Jazz Music and Improvisation:
A. Harmonic: Major/Minor tonality, Modal tonality, Blues tonality
• Chord Structures and Voicings
• Basic Progressions: ii-V7- I / Blues / I-vi-ii-V7-I
• Chord/Scale Relationships
B. Rhythmic: patterns within basic jazz styles
• Swing Ballad, Latin, Rock, Funk, Shuffle
C. Formal:
• Basic jazz form: Head-Bridge Head (A-B-A)/Blues
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/for
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.
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 these basic jazz styles: swing, latin (samba/salsa/bossa nova), funk-rock,
ballad.
3. Identify and construct chords using standard chord symbol notation.
4. Construct, identify, and perform chord-scale relationships that exist within
basic progressions: ii-V7-I / I-vi-ii-V7-I / Blues (8bar-12bar-"bird blues").
5. Transcribe an improvised solo as performed by a jazz artist.
6. Perform and transcribe an improvised solo.
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/voicing’s
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)
• Alfred Mastertracks Jazz series (book/CD)
• Berg, Shelly. Essentials of Jazz Theory Book 1-2-3. Alfred. 2004
• Aebersold, Jamie. Play-A-Long series
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED
February, 2006