Language of Jazz II: Improvisation

Overview

Course description

This course deals with the application of the rhythmic and harmonic language gained from MUSC 3210, The Language of Jazz I. Emphasis in this class is placed upon solo improvisation using the blues, II-V-I and modal jazz. As this course is designed for the beginner, or novice jazz soloist, no previous experience in jazz improvisation is necessary. Through class participation, students will experience the thought processes and technical demands necessary to play improvised solos. Students may participate on either their primary or secondary instrument. Drummers should play either a mallet instrument (vibraphone) or piano. The course is also designed for students who are considering teaching jazz at the secondary school level or pursing jazz performance, jazz arranging and jazz composition. The classroom experience seeks to provide a similar experience to that faced by young jazz students.

Course content

Improvisation:

The blues, II-V-I and modal jazz
Using lead sheets
Playing a melody
Knowing the harmony
Assimilating jazz rhythms
Playing by ear
Improvising using limited resources
Developing a rhythmic flow
Jazz Phrasing
The importance of a vocabulary - "licks" and patterns
Organizing an improvised solo
How to practice
Studying the masters
Solo transcription
Interaction in the group setting
Improvised accompaniment - Comping
Free jazz

Teaching jazz in the high school music program:

The instruments associated with jazz ensembles
Common jazz styles
Teaching jazz improvisation
Rehearsing the school big band
Coaching small ensembles
Choosing repertoire
Concert programming
Jazz festivals
Teaching jazz history
Teaching jazz theory
Student evaluations
Developing listening skills and musical perception in students
Teaching resources

The teaching component will include a short research paper.

Students may participate on either their primary or secondary instrument. Drummers should play either a mallet instrument (vibraphone) or piano.

Learning activities

Lecture/demonstration

Means of assessment

Class participation 20%

Solo Improvisation 30%

Research Project (written paper) - Topics tba 30%

2 to 3 Exams (general knowledge) 20%

Learning outcomes

Students will learn to apply the rhythmic and harmonic language gained from MUSC 3210, The Language of Jazz I, in order to improvise solos using the blues, II-V-I and modal jazz. Through class participation, students will experience the thought processes and technical demands necessary to play improvised solos.

Students planning to teach jazz at the secondary school level will gain the knowledge and skills needed to develop a successful jazz program. The classroom experience seeks to provide a similar experience to that faced by young jazz students.

Textbook materials

The instructor may assign a text book such as: Creative Jazz Improvisation by Scott Reeves (Prentice Hall)

Requisites

Prerequisites

MUSC 3210 or permission of instructor

Corequisites

Private lessons (concentration or secondary)

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

September 2009 (Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution	Transfer details for MUSC 4115
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Important notice