JAZZ 211 - ESSENTIALS OF JAZZ I

Introduction to jazz styles, improvisation, comping, working with a rhythm section and soloists.

Credits: 1

Prerequisites: MUSC 121 (may be taken concurrently)

JAZZ 212 - ESSENTIALS OF JAZZ II

Continuation of JAZZ 211: historical overview of jazz and its relationship to American cultural and political history from 1945.

Credits: 1

Prerequisites: JAZZ 211

JAZZ 215 - JAZZ THEORY II

Continuation of Jazz 210 to include advanced harmonic structures, scale forms, and chord progressions.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: JAZZ 210

JAZZ 220 - SKILLS FOR JAZZ VOCALISTS I

Introduction to singing in the commercial jazz idiom. Basic microphone technique and amplified vocal production; creation of lead sheets; transpositions and chord symbols; introduction to basic swing and ballad styles; survey of historically significant solo jazz vocalists.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites: VOI 271 (may be taken concurrently)

Course Notes: or concurrent

JAZZ 225 - VOCAL JAZZ PERFORMANCE CLASS

Required of vocal jazz majors. Development of stage presence, interpretive abilities and technique through performance for peer audience and department faculty. Meets weekly.

Credits: 0

JAZZ 230 - IMPROVISATION

Fundamentals and concepts of jazz improvisation. Development of students’ understanding of basic jazz vocabulary by focusing on essential knowledge (including personal sound & style, solo construction & development, rhythmic skills, blues, modes, and free form improv). Review of the most important solos and soloists in jazz.

Credits: 2

Course Notes: Major instrument or VOI 271 may be taken concurrently.

JAZZ 244 - JAZZ PIANO TECH II

Continuation of JAZZ 243: rootless chord voicings applied to major and minor ii V I; chromatic embellishment of static harmony; voicing 7sus4 chords; “So What” and quartal voicings; idiomatic keyboard vamps; transcribed piano pieces.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites: JAZZ 243

JAZZ 245 - UNDERSTANDING DRUMS AND BASS

Rhythm section hands-on experience in playing bass and drums. Constructing and notating rhythm section parts, focus on stylistic integrity, time and feel.

Credits: 2

JAZZ 305 - COMPOSITION & ARRANGING I

Form, structure, melody, rhythm and harmony in jazz and other contemporary forms. Scoring techniques for standard jazz ensembles.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: JAZZ 215

Course Notes: or consent

JAZZ 306 - COMPOSITION & ARRANGING II

Continuation of 305 to include development of individual style.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites: JAZZ 305

JAZZ 310 - JAZZ FORUM

Development of stage presence, improvisation, ensemble skills and technique through performance for peer audience, faculty, and guest artists.

Credits: 1

Course Notes: Pre-requisite: Applied 271 (may be concurrent).

JAZZ 331 - IMPROVISATION I

Exploration of more advanced tonal, melodic, and rhythmic structures, and the use of sequence, in improvisation. Study of standard and irregular forms. Specific learning outcomes based on American Songbook tunes and their jazz derivatives.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites: MUHL 222

JAZZ 332 - IMPROVISATION II

Emphasis on tonal/melodic/rhythmic developments in jazz since 1959 as employed in improvisation. Specific learning outcomes based on jazz-specific compositions of the Post-Bop era.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites: JAZZ 331

JAZZ 395 - INDEPENDENT STUDY

Individual research under departmental guidance.

Credits: 1-4

Course Notes: Consent of instructor