Resources | Jazz Links | Recommended Listening | Application for admission to this course | Assignment 1

Harvey Mudd College Fall 2006

Music 84: Jazz Improvisation

What this course is about:

This course introduces theory and practice of modern jazz improvisation, from basic harmonic concepts through solo and group performance. The level is typically beginning through intermediate, with some advanced players also participating.

Each semester we base our playing on tunes by a specific composer/performer. This semester it is Charlie Parker. In the past, we have used Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, and Miles Davis.

Instructor

Bob Keller 1249 Olin (office hours 3-5 MW, 4-5:30 Tu, by drop-in, or by appointment), keller@cs.hmc.edu, x 18483, My Schedule

Catalog Description

The art of simultaneously hearing, composing, and performing music. Chords, scales, chord progressions, and tunes of modern jazz. Theory, listening, analysis, and group practice in improvisation skills. 1.5 Credit hours, may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: Music-reading ability, ability to play most of the twelve major scales on an instrument, motivation to play jazz, permission of the instructor. Please complete the application for admission to this course if interested.

Note: Repeating for credit is by invitation only, based on performance and attendance in the previous semester.

Meeting Time and Place

Wed. 8:30-10:00 p.m., 2nd Floor, Sprague Library

Requirements and Grading

Participation and practice 40%, Written work 30%, Final Performance 30%. The proficiency levels of participants generally varies widely. Accordingly, grading is based on diligence, rather than absolute skill level. You are expected to practice daily. (It will require self-motivation and effort. If you don't wish to exert yourself, please don't sign up for this class.)) Attendance at class is absolutely required. If you need to be excused, please ask, because unexcused absences will affect your grade negatively.

Participants are also expected to attend at least three jazz concerts that are available in Claremont this fall.

Required Materials

• For Instrumentalists:
• (required) Charlie Parker “All Bird” play-along, Volume 6, Jamey Aebersold
  Note: This volume has been revised recently. Try to get the new version. Here’s how to tell, as there is no edition number: Open to Page 1 (about 8 pages in, after the notes and ads). If the note fonts are crisp machine-drawn and have the chord symbols (F7, etc.) written on the top of the first staff, that is the new version. If the notes look hand-drawn and the first staff does not have chord symbols, that is the old version. (If you order directly from Aebersold at www.jazzbooks.com, you will most certainly be given the new version, so this is recommended.)

• For vocalist:
• Please contact me

You may purchase the book on-line or by telephone with a credit card. I am willing to make one batch order that should get us the materials within the first week of class, but it would be better if you ordered it yourself. If you wish to exploit my offer, you will need to have money or a check in advance. Consider ordering from Jamey Aebersold.

For our written work, we will also use the Impro-Visor software tool.

Outline, Fall 2006

The outline is subject to change.

Concept Outline Listening suggestions Jazz rhythmic style Intervals Inversions Major and minor chord structures: Major triad Minor triad Major seventh and ninth Minor seventh and ninth Major six-nine Minor six-nine Major seventh, sharp eleven Minor eleventh Dominant and other chord structures: Dominant seventh Dominant seventh, sharp eleven Dominant seventh, flat nine Dominant thirteenth Diminished triad Diminished seventh Dominant seventh, sus 4 Augmented triad Alt (sharp five, sharp nine) Resolution of dissonant intervals Voice leading Chord resolutions Blues progression Cycle of fifths Major ii-V-I progressions and left-hand keyboard voicings Use of leading tones Secondary dominants Scales Major scale modes Melodic minor scale modes Whole-tone scales Diminished scales Keyboard voicings Open voicings Shell voicings Rootless voicings Quartal voicings Solo analysis Solo construction minor ii-V-I progressions and keyboard voicings Tritone substitutions Transcription

Instrumental Tunes Charlie Parker My Little Suede Shoes Now’s The Time Yardbird Suite Dewey Square Confirmation Donna Lee Ornithology Anthropology (aka Thriving From A Riff) Scrapple From The Apple Vocal Tunes to be Determined We can also work on other tunes, time permitting.