Academic Catalog

Jazz Studies (JAZZ)

JAZZ 16100 Survey of Jazz History (LA)

A one-semester course for non-music majors and music majors. The study of jazz history from 1890 to the present, with much required listening and reading outside class. Origins, blues, New Orleans Dixieland, Chicago Dixieland, ragtime, boogie woogie, swing, bebop, cool, funky, and eclectic era (i.e., free jazz, third stream, contemporary, big bands, jazz-rock fusion, advancements in improvisation, and electronics). This course is required for jazz studies majors and may be used as a music elective for other bachelor of music degrees. (F)
Attributes: 3B, ADCH, ADSE, FA, H
2 Credits

JAZZ 16500 Basic Music Calligraphy (NLA)

Use of the copying pen; laying out the work for easy page turns and readability; copying parts from both concert and transposed scores; writing piano parts; correcting arranger's or composer's mistakes; special problems with rhythm-section instruments; proper writing in all clefs; proper use of notation; lettering; titles; fixing mistakes; flags; rests; dots; note heads and stems; beams; ledger lines; time and key signatures; accidentals; dynamics, slurs, ties, and other articulations; shorthand and shortcuts; tremolos; instrument cues; multi-copying lyrics; many copying projects throughout the semester, including copying all the parts for a complete large jazz band orchestration. (F,IRR)
1 Credit

JAZZ 16600 Jazz Piano I (NLA)

Classroom instruction in functional jazz keyboard; open voicings of 7th, 9th, and 13th chords beginning with ii-V-I progressions in major and minor keys; rootless close voicings; basic comping techniques and patterns; melodic improvisation; interpreting a lead sheet; the blues; jazz styles; solo piano. The course focuses on interpretation and performance of standard pieces from the jazz repertoire through individual keyboard application in a class setting. Prerequisite: PFSM 17200 and MUTH 12200/12201. (F-S)
1 Credit

JAZZ 16700 Jazz Piano II (NLA)

A continuation of JAZZ 16600 to prepare the student for a variety of performance situations and voicings; comping styles; walking bass; technique for soloing and chord substitutions; solo piano styles; contemporary jazz styles. As in Jazz Piano I, the course focuses on interpretation and performance of standard jazz pieces through individual keyboard application in a class setting. Prerequisites: JAZZ 16600. (S)
1 Credit

JAZZ 17000 Jazz Private Study I, major instrument (NLA)

Private study in jazz for Jazz Studies majors only. Students take 2 semesters of JAZZ 17000 for each semester. Corequisite: JAZZ 19900. (F,S)
1-2 Credits

JAZZ 17001 Jazz Private Study I, minor instrument or concentration (NLA)

Private study in jazz. For Jazz Studies majors and concentrations only. Jazz Studies majors take 2 semesters of JAZZ 17001 for each semester. Jazz Studies concentrations may take JAZZ 17001 as an elective toward the jazz concentration requirements. (F-S)
1 Credit

JAZZ 19900 Jazz Repertoire and Pedagogy (NLA)

Students meet weekly as a group with their jazz study teacher(s) to perform repertoire and discuss performance technique and pedagogy. Pass/Fail only. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

JAZZ 20000 Jazz Theory and Aural Training I (LA)

Introduces and vigorously drills jazz chords and chord symbol notation, modes, scales, chord-scale relationships, and jazz forms. Activities will include transcribing and performing; students will be required to bring their instruments to each class. Prerequisites: MUTH 10100 or MUTH 10101. (F-S-B)
Attributes: FA
1 Credit

JAZZ 20100 Jazz Theory and Aural Training II (LA)

Introduces and vigorously drills advanced jazz chords and chord symbol notation, modes, scales, chord-scale relationships, and jazz forms. Activities will include transcribing and performing; students will be required to bring their instruments to each class. Prerequisites: JAZZ 20000. (F-S-B)
Attributes: FA
1 Credit

JAZZ 21000 Jazz Standards and Literature I (NLA)

Introduces the jazz standard repertoire critical to functioning as a musician in a jazz combo. Memorizing the melodies, chord progressions, lyrics (as appropriate) and improvising on the songs in all 12 keys will be the primary activities. There will also be a transcription assignment, where each student will be required to transcribe an improvised solo by a major jazz artist, and present that solo to the class, and play along with the recording. Prerequisites: JAZZ 20100. (2 cr.) (S)
2 Credits

JAZZ 23000 Jazz Tune Writing (NLA)

Legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry taught that learning jazz can be broken down into three essential steps: imitation, assimilation and innovation. This course will focus on the first two steps, imitation and assimilation. Basic techniques of tune writing are presented and explored in relation to the work of specific jazz composers whose works are rooted in the creative use of tonal harmonic relationships. Students listen to and analyze tunes by composers such as Bill Evans, Tadd Dameron, Thelonious Monk, Bob Brookmeyer, and Wayne Shorter, and compose original tunes using the musical vocabulary and techniques utilized by those composers. Prerequisites: JAZZ 20100. (S)
2 Credits

JAZZ 27000 Jazz Private Study II, major instrument (NLA)

Private study in jazz for Jazz Studies majors only. Students take 2 semesters of JAZZ 27000 for each semester. Corequisite: JAZZ 19900. Prerequisites: 2 semesters of JAZZ 17000. (F,S)
1-2 Credits

JAZZ 27001 Jazz Private Study II, minor instrument (NLA)

Private study in jazz for Jazz Studies majors. Jazz Studies majors take 2 semesters of JAZZ 27001 for each semester. Prerequisites: 2 semesters of JAZZ 17001. (F-S)
1 Credit

JAZZ 31000 Jazz Standards and Literature II (NLA)

Introduces more advanced standards and jazz repertoire critical to functioning as a musician in a modern jazz combo. Memorizing the melodies, chord progressions, lyrics (as appropriate) and improvising on the songs in all 12 keys will be the primary activities. Additionally, students will be required to analyze the composition and improvisation techniques of Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk. Prerequisties: JAZZ 21000. (2 cr.) (F)
2 Credits

JAZZ 31100 Jazz Standards and Literature III (NLA)

Covers extremely advanced jazz standards and repertoire important to functioning as a musician in a modern jazz combo. Memorizing the melodies, chord progressions, and improvising on the songs will be the primary activities of the course. There will also be a transcription assignment, where each student will be required to transcribe and analyze an improvised solo by a major jazz artist on a complex, chromatic tune, present that solo to the class, and play along with the recording. Prerequisites: JAZZ 31000. (S, O)
2 Credits

JAZZ 32300 Jazz Arranging I (LA)

Jazz arranging for the big band. Chord progressions and harmonic motion; scales that go with chords; triadic and seventh chords; standard cadential formulas; progressions found in basic jazz tunes; transcription; transposition; proper rhythm notation; terminology; instrument ranges; principles of melodic analysis; approach note techniques; four-part close voicings; unisons; open voicings (i.e. "drop two" and "drop two and four"); pads; punch chords; additions to four-way close; five-part saxophone section writing; alternate voicings; rhythm section writing; background line writing; standard formal arrangements of jazz pieces; writing one full arrangement with parts copied for a large jazz ensemble (arrangements must be played to receive credit in the course); score analysis and listening; "shout" chorus; concerted writing; melodic and rhythmic modification. Prerequisite: JAZZ 20100. (F)
2 Credits

JAZZ 32500 Jazz Arranging II (LA)

Writing for small and medium-size jazz ensembles. Review of all major concepts from Jazz Arranging I; discussion of harmony, substitute chords, modulation, and reharmonization; two- and three-part jazz counterpoint; analysis of small-group scores; transcribing tunes from recordings; correction of published sheet music; melody writing and motive development; introductions and turnarounds; expanded use of the rhythm section; background writing; techniques used in developing a melody; formal considerations; assigned listening both in and out of class; one complete medium-size group arrangement. Arrangement must be played to receive credit in the course. Prerequisites: JAZZ 32300. (S)
2 Credits

JAZZ 32600 Jazz Arranging III (LA)

Jazz arranging for the "studio orchestra" (i.e., large jazz ensemble with strings, woodwinds, horns, tuba, and extra percussion). Review of all major concepts from Jazz Arranging I and II; woodwind writing (e.g., clarinet, flute, bass clarinet, bassoon, and oboe); string writing and combining strings with winds; expanded use of the rhythm section; writing for voices in combination with other instruments; the recording studio; percussion writing; writing for French horn and tuba; score analysis and listening; one "studio orchestra" arrangement (perhaps an original composition, with approval of professor). Arrangement must be played to receive credit in the course. Prerequisites: JAZZ 32500. (IRR)
2 Credits

JAZZ 36100 Jazz Improvisation I (LA)

Basic nomenclature; all four-note seventh chords; modes of the major scale as used in improvising; rhythmic motive development; "swing" feeling; even eighth-note feeling; introduction to ii-V and ii-V-I progressions in all major keys; modulating standard and jazz compositions; solo transcriptions; phrase construction; chordal style; linear style; cycles; ear development; basic form of a solo; inside playing in solo improvising; Dorian and Mixolydian mode application. (F)
2 Credits

JAZZ 36300 Jazz Improvisation II (LA)

More advanced harmonic concepts; b9 chords; 11th and 13th chords; review of ii-V-I progressions and resolutions; basic bitonality; formal structures of solos; use of altered scales; Phrygian, Lydian, Aeolian, and Locrian mode application to chord changes; whole tone and diminished scale usage; modes of the ascending melodic minor scale and their usage; bebop style compositions of the 1940s and 1950s; "rhythm changes" and substitute chord usage; bebop devices. Prerequisites: JAZZ 36100. (S,IRR)
2 Credits

JAZZ 36400 Jazz Improvisation III (LA)

Fast tempos; rock style improvisation; chord superimposition; advanced patterns; deceptive cadences; alternate blues changes; turnarounds; advanced bitonality; further application of modes of the ascending melodic minor; more advanced harmonies of songs from the 1960s through 1980s; the Lydian-augmented mode; the Mixolydian flat 13 mode. Prerequisites: JAZZ 36300. (S,IRR)
2 Credits

JAZZ 36600 Jazz Style Analysis (LA)

For music majors (open to selected non-music majors with permission of the instructor). Jazz history from 1945 to the present with required listening and reading outside class. Areas covered include stylistic analysis of contemporary jazz, major representative artists, and the influence of preceding styles on subsequent ones. Aural and theoretical analysis of transcribed solos is included. Course grades are based on quizzes and a final research or creative project. (S,IRR)
Attributes: 3B, H, HU
3 Credits

JAZZ 37000 Jazz Private Study III (NLA)

Private study in jazz for Jazz Studies majors only. Co-requisite: JAZZ 19900. Prerequisites: JAZZ 27000. (F,S)
1-2 Credits

JAZZ 37001 Jazz Private Study III, minor instrument (NLA)

Private study in jazz for Jazz Studies majors only. Jazz Studies majors may elect 2 semesters of JAZZ 37001 for each semester. Co-requisite: JAZZ 19900. Prerequisites: JAZZ 27000 or JAZZ 27001. (F,S)
1 Credit

JAZZ 47000 Jazz Private Study IV (NLA)

Private study in jazz for Jazz Studies majors only. Co-requisite: JAZZ 19900. Prerequisites: JAZZ 37000. (F,S)
2 Credits