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Course Syllabus

MUSC 3306 Jazz Improvisation I

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Repeatable: Yes.
  • Prerequisites: Admission to the degree program
  • Semesters Offered: Fall
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2022
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2027
  • End Semester: Summer 2028
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 20

Course Description

This course is designed to teach musicians the basics of jazz improvisation, especially with regards to the performance and understanding of historical jazz vocabulary, chord/scale relationships, rhythmic interaction within the ensemble, stylistic concepts of melodic interpretation, and the rhythmic interpretation of scales. Exercises will include performing required scales in a variety of rhythms, performing major and minor ii-V-I jazz vocabulary licks in all twelve keys, performing required jazz standards by memory, and transcribing and performing several historical jazz solos, both written out and memorized. This course is required for instrumental performance majors in the Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music degree program.

Justification

This type of course is being offered at most of the four-year institutions in the State of Utah and is a regular course offering throughout the country. It is usually offered as part of a student's music major elective courses at institutions where there is no specified major in jazz studies and as a major course at institutions where there is a major in jazz studies. This course typically transfers as elective and/or major credit.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will learn assigned scales, including Pentatonic, Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian, Bebop Dominant, Bebop Major, as well as select modes of the Jazz Melodic Minor scale, in all 12 keys.
  2. Students will learn assigned scale degree and chord tone patterns in all 12 keys.
  3. Students will learn jazz standards as assigned throughout the semester, approximately 6-12 per semester. Melody, chord symbols, chord arpeggios and form will be learned and memorized.
  4. Students will have midterm and final transcription assignments, which must be written out, memorized and analyzed by notating scale degrees and chord symbols.
  5. Students will complete short transcription assignments throughout the semester. These must be written out, memorized and analyzed by notating scale degrees and chord symbols.
  6. Students will learn the history and place of their specific instrument within jazz, and learn about important jazz artists from the beginning of jazz to the present.

Course Content

This course will include the following topics:Scales: Pentatonic, Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian, Bebop Dominant, Bebop Major, as well as select modes of the Jazz Melodic Minor scale, in all 12 keys.Scale Degree and chord tone patterns.Jazz Standards as assigned. Both traditional American Songbook standards as well as bebop hard-bop classics will be included in course repertoire.In class performances with other students.Listening Assignments.Short Transcription assignments (20-30 seconds).Midterm and Final Transcription assignments (1-2 minutes).Course will explore the historically significant stylistic components of jazz improvisation. Students are encouraged to express their unique background and cultural heritage via musical improvisation.