Resources | Jazz Links | Recommended Listening | Application for admission to this course
(Don’t show up without advanced permission!)
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. 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, and Lee Morgan.
For the spring 2013, I am considering either Dexter
Gordon, Tad Dameron, or Bud Powell.
Professor
Bob
Keller 1253 Olin (office
hours 4-5:30 MTW, by drop-in, or by appointment), keller@cs.hmc.edu, x 18483
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.
Wed. 8:30-10:00 p.m., 2nd Floor, Sprague Library
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.
·
The
Real Easy Book, Volume 1, by Stanford Jazz Workshop. This is a fakebook (aka “real
book”) covering some, but not all of the tunes we will play. It
also includes voicing information, bass lines, drum
patterns, etc. Some of the tunes are not available elsewhere.
·
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.
Books are available direct from Huntley Books, from http://www.jazzbooks.com/),
or from their respective publishers.
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.
See the Resources
link at the top of the page.
|
Listening suggestions Jazz rhythmic style Intervals, Inversions Dominant Chords: 7, 9, 13 Tonal Inventory for a Scale 3-note voicings Voice-Leading Bluesy Tunes 12-bar Blues Form Playing Eighth-Note Lines Cycle of fifths Major and minor chord structures:
Dominant and other chord structures:
|
Resolution
of dissonant intervals Use of leading tones Scales
Keyboard voicings
Solo analysis Solo construction {Minor, Minor} ii-V-I progressions Tritone
substitutions Secondary dominants |
o Jobim,
with Joao Gilberto vocal and Stan Getz tenor
o Eliane Elias Live (piano)
o Billy
Taylor and Buddy Greco Live (two pianos)
o nice soloing on electronic piano
o How to comp
samba/bossa nova on piano, Vanessa Rodrigues
Alphabetic list of all tunes in the
book (for reference):
|
Bags'
Groove |
Mr.
P.C. |