12/27/2024 4:14:13 AM	MUSC 5A Course Outline as of Fall 2009	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  MUSC 5A	Title:  BEGINNING JAZZ IMPROV
Full Title:  Beginning Jazz Improvisation
Last Reviewed:5/11/2020

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		17.5 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  34 - 4 Enrollments Total
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  MUS 5.1A

Catalog Description:

This class provides instrumental students with the tools and techniques for jazz improvisation at a beginning level. Topics include scales, arpeggios, the elements of jazz harmony, the blues, and characteristic chord progressions.  

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Ability to play all major scales on a musical instrument.

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This class provides instrumental students with the tools and techniques for jazz improvisation at a beginning level. Topics include scales, arpeggios, the elements of jazz harmony, the blues, and characteristic chord progressions.  

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Ability to play all major scales on a musical instrument.
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:34 - 4 Enrollments Total

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

1. Perform the scales, modes, and arpeggios used in jazz improvisation.

2. Analyze jazz chord progressions, identifying appropriate scales, arpeggios, and/or melodic patterns for improvisation.

3. Construct stylistically appropriate jazz lines from previously analyzed examples.

4 Compare and contrast styles of improvisation from recorded examples.

Repeating students will be able to:

1. Improvise at a higher skill level and on more difficult repertoire.

2. Demonstrate greater technical achievement on their instrument.

3. Articulate musical phrases with greater clarity.

4. Perform with higher standards of intonation.

5. Demonstrate a more sophisticated comprehension of dynamics, phrasing, musical expression, and nuance.  

Topics and Scope

I. Scales Commonly Used in Jazz and Their Application

   A. Major

   B. Dorian

   C. Mixolydian

   D. Pentatonic

   E. Blues scales

II. Ear training through instrumental call and response based on the above scales

III. Arpeggio Excerises

   A. Major seventh

   B. Dominant seventh

    C. Minor seventh

   D. Half-diminished chords

IV. Melodic fragments played around the circle of fourths

V. Blues Form

VI. The II-V-I progression

VII. Performance and improvisation upon approximately seven jazz or blues compositions

VII. Combo Performance and Rhythm Section Techniques

   A. Bass lines

   B. Comping - voicings for piano and guitar

   C. The role of the drummer - trading fours

VIII. Repeating students will perform new literature each semester, building on both their skill level and knowledge of the repertoire.  

Assignments:

1. Perform scale and arpeggio exercises from memory.

2. Perform twelve-bar Blues form from memory.

3. Class performances of assigned works.

4. The final exam is an in-class performance.

5. Repeating students will be held to higher standards of performance with each repetition.  

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 70 - 80%
Class performances
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 20 - 30%
Attendance and participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Aebersold, Jamey. A New Approach to Jazz Improvisation, Volume 54: "Madien Voyage," CD and text, 1991. (Classic text)

Instructor prepared materials.  

Print PDF