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

 

Harvey Mudd College Fall 2009

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 celebrated composer/performer. This semester it is trumpeter/composer Freddie Hubbard. (We have previously featured Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, John Coltrane, and Tom Harrell.)

 

Instructor

 

Bob Keller 1253 Olin (office hours 4-5:30 MTW, by drop-in, or by appointment), keller at cs dot hmc dot 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, Sprague Library

 

Requirements and Grading

Participation and practice 40%, Written work 30%, Final Performance 30%. 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 sessions.

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

 

Required Materials

There is a required book and CD combination: Jamey Aebersold, Volume 60, Freddie Hubbard Play-A-Long Book and CD For All Instruments (available direct from the publisher http://www.jazzbooks.com). Everyone except vocalists and drummers please acquire a copy by the first class meeting. We will also use the free Impro-Visor software tool from HMC.

 

Suggested Instrumental Tunes

Little Sunflower (get vocal from recording)

Birdlike

Up Jumped Spring

Crisis

Dear John

Pensativa (by Clare Fischer)

Red Clay (probably transpose down to C minor)

Mr. Clean (not in book)

Straight Life (not in book)

Soul Surge (7/4 time, not in book)

On the QueTee (not in book)

 

Vocal Tunes

Lullaby of Birdland

Summertime

and others

 

 

 

Freddie Hubbard Playing on YouTube

 

·      Moanin’ (early, with Art Blakey)

·      Dear John (with McCoy Tyner)

·      Dear John (slower, part 1)

·      Dear John (slower, part 2)

·      Straight Life (1975, Downbeat Awards)

·      Birdlike (1982, with Joe Henderson, Superstar Quint.)

·      Fantasy in D (1982, Village Vanguard, Cedar Walton)

·      A La Mode (1984, with Art Blakey)

·      Hubtones (1987, Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival)

·      The Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1989)

·      Bolivia (Blue Note, Tokyo, 1990)

·      Red Clay (disk)

·      Cherokee, part 1 (with Don Braden)

·      Cherokee, part 2 (with Benny Green)

 

Freddie Hubbard Tunes Played by Others on YouTube

 

·       Little Sunflower  (Iowa State University)

·       Little Sunflower  (Vocal version)

·       Birdlike  (Alto sax solo, by Miguel Zenon)

·       Birdlike  (Jam session, Trumpet solo, by Marcus Printup, others)

·       Birdlike  (Transcription of Ryan Kisor's solo)

·       Birdlike  (Student performance at Stanford Jazz Residency)

·       Up Jumped Spring (Piano, with play-a-long)

·       Up Jumped Spring (Equinox 4)

·       Up Jumped Spring (Hendrik Meurkens - Harmonica, Dado Moroni - Piano, Ray Drummond - Bass, Jimmy Cobb - Drums)

·       Red Clay (Jack Wilkins, guitar)

·       Red Clay (FH Tribute: George Cables, Jermy Pelt, Phil Ranelin, and Lenny white)

·       Some Last Words from Freddie Hubbard (written interview)

 

Optional Materials


There are several good jazz theory books. Ask me if you'd like a recommendation for one to suit you.

Also see the Resources link at the top of the page.

Concept Outline

Listening suggestions

Jazz rhythmic style

Intervals , Inversions

Cycle of fifths

Major and minor chord structures:

  • Triads
  • {Major, Minor}{7, 9, 69, #11/5b}

Dominant and other chord structures:

  • Dominant {7th, 13th}{ #5, #11, #9, b9}
  • Diminished {triad, 7th}
  • Dominant {7th, 9th} sus 4
  • Augmented triad

Resolution of dissonant intervals

Chord resolutions, Voice leading

Blues progression

Use of leading tones

 

Concept Outline (continued)

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, Minor} ii-V-I progressions
and keyboard voicings

Tritone substitutions

Secondary dominants