Resources | Jazz Links | Recommended Listening | Application for admission to this course (Don’t show up without advanced permission!)

 

Harvey Mudd College Spring Semester 2014

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. There is a final performance. This course can be repeated for credit, with permission of the instructor.

 

Starting fall 2012, the fall and spring offerings will differ. In the spring we will focus on a specific composer, as we have been doing for quite a few semesters in the past. For spring 2014, we will focus on the tunes of pianist/composer Bud Powell. In the fall, we will cover various “jam session” tunes, that are part of the repertoire of most jazz musicians. So the fall will outreach more to beginning and intermediate players, and the spring will tend to prefer students who have taken the course the previous fall, or who can demonstrate comparable abilities.

 

In previous semesters, celebrated composers have included Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, John Coltrane, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Gerry Mulligan, Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, and Dexter Gordon.

 

Instructor

Professor Bob Keller B145 Olin (office hours 4:00-5:30 MTW, by drop-in, or by appointment), keller@cs.hmc.edu, x 18483

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 the twelve major scales on one's primary 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 progress and attendance in the previous semester.

Meeting Time and Place

Wed. 8:30-10:00 p.m., 2nd Floor, Jacobs 143

Requirements and Grading

Participation and practice 50%, Written work 25%, Final Performance 25%. The proficiency level of participants generally varies widely. Accordingly, grading is based on diligence, rather than absolute performance level.

You are expected to practice daily. It will require self-motivation and effort. If you have no intention of exerting yourself, please don't sign up for this class. It is not intended as a casual jam for those who don't practice between meetings.

Please note: Attendance at class is absolutely required. If you need to be excused, please ask in advance, because unexcused absences will affect your grade adversely.

Required Materials

·       Bud Powell Jazz Play-Along, Volume 101, Hal Leonard Publisher

·       (Recommended for theory, but optional) Jazz Improvisation: The Goal Note Approach, by Shelton Berg. This is a jazz theory book with musical examples and a play-along CD for the examples. In my opinion, it is the best introductory theory book available.

The first book is available direct from Huntley Books, and both are available from http://www.jazzbooks.com/).

Note: On the CD that comes with the Bud Powell book, some of the tracks are recorded at break-neck speed. For the ones that we do, I will provide slowed-down tracks as resources. We will not necessarily play them at the indicated speed.

We will also use the free Impro-Visor software tool from HMC. You will need access to a personal computer to download and use this software.

 

Link to Play List, with some example performances, and other Bud Powell resources

Optional Materials

See the Resources link at the top of the page.

Concept Outline