MUSI 127 Jazz Small Band
The focus of this course is on the development of jazz improvisational skills and the study of jazz style. Students will be divided into groups according to ability level and instrumentation. Each group will meet to work on improvisation, listen to jazz recordings and discuss jazz style. There will be performance opportunities throughout the semester for each band.
MUSI 127Jazz Small Band
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
Department
Visual and Performing Arts Academic
II. Course Specification
Course Type
{33F85C8E-F028-4EA1-B462-29A7236FE794}
Credit Hours Narrative
1 Credit Hour
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
16
Semester Contact Hours Lab
0.0
Semester Contact Hours Clinical
0
III. Catalog Course Description
The focus of this course is on the development of jazz improvisational skills and the study of jazz style. Students will be divided into groups according to ability level and instrumentation. Each group will meet to work on improvisation, listen to jazz recordings and discuss jazz style. There will be performance opportunities throughout the semester for each band.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
The course will address jazz literature from historical and current styles, with difficulty varying according to the ability of the group. Styles may include:
- Early Jazz
- Big Band era
- Bebop
- Hard Bop
- Cool Jazz
- Free Jazz
- Fusion
- Latin Jazz
- Modern Jazz
-
Improvisation will be focused on idiomatic harmonic settings. These include:
- 12 bar blues
- Rhythm changes
- Standard from the American Song Book
- Jazz compositions from various jazz styles outlined above
- Free jazz settings
Students will develop the ability to improvise on idiomatic harmonic progressions. These include:
- Basic harmonic functions, I, IV and V, in both major and minor keys
- Major and minor ii-V-I
- Secondary dominants
- tritone substitutions
- Modal mixture
- Parallel mode-based harmonies
- Chromatic ii-Vs
- Deceptive cadences
- Rapid modulations
- Etc.
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Assessment Strategy Narrative
1. Improvise idiomatically over basic forms and progressions.
2. Improvise using different creative and theoretical approaches.
3. Perform melodies and accompanying parts at a high level.
4. Audiate basic progressions and melodies.
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
Course activities primarily consist of musical performance, both in the classroom and in public performance, and improvisational exercises. Students are also required to practice music and improvisation exercises outside of class.
Assessment is a continuous process done throughout each rehearsal and performance. Execution of written notation and improvised solos are assessed, and students receive feedback throughout the course.