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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
MUSI D009A
Course Title (CB02)
Jazz Piano I
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Development of the ability to play basic jazz piano arrangements from lead sheets in a variety of jazz styles using knowledge of jazz harmony, jazz piano techniques, and improvisational skills. Improvisational skill is developed through the application of provided scale choices and techniques for melodic development.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
DA - Class Applied Performance - Jazz and Non-Western

Course Justification

This course is accepted transferable to CSU and UC, particularly for Jazz Studies music majors. The course belongs on the AA degree in Music. This course is the first in a three quarter sequence providing a jazz focus among piano classes within the music department.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Formerly Statement
(Formerly MUSI D009.)

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
1.5
Maximum Credit Units
1.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours1.02.0
Laboratory Hours2.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
12.0
Laboratory
24.0
Total
36.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
24.0

Prerequisite(s)

Ability to play a keyboard instrument and read music.

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D261. and ESL D265., or ESL D461. and ESL D465., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and demonstration

Discussion of assigned listening

Discussion of arranging options in class

Ear training-chord and melody recognition

Homework and extended projects

Supervised practice

Assignments

  1. Working from lead sheets provided in class, practice and perform original solo piano or jazz piano trio arrangements of jazz tunes on piano. Apply the elements of jazz style, harmony, piano arranging techniques, and improvisation discussed in the course to the performance.
  2. Memorize the major triads in all twelve keys and learn to convert those chords into various jazz 7th chords.
  3. Compose a simple improvisation on a part of a jazz composition using provided scale choices.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Midterm solo or ensemble piano performance of a jazz arrangement, demonstrating the application of jazz piano style, accurate playing of jazz harmonies and melodies.
  2. Final solo or ensemble piano performance of a jazz arrangement demonstrating the application of jazz piano style, accurate playing of jazz harmonies, arranging techniques, and improvisational content.
  3. Participation in class activities, homework assignments, practice, and performance; evaluated on accuracy of chords, melody, and improvisation

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Blank music staff paper
Essential College Facilities:
  • Digital piano with headphones for each student
  • Jazz song lead sheets
  • Sound system for playing audio recordings
  • Extensive collection of jazz piano recordings
  • Chalkboards for demonstration

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
None.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Levine, Mark. "The Jazz Piano Book". Petaluma, Ca: Sher Music Co., 1990
Levine, Mark. "The Jazz Theory Book". Petaluma, Ca: Sher Music Co., 1995

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Understand and apply the fundamental elements of basic jazz styles for performance on the piano
  • Read and play simple jazz chords written in standard chord symbol notation on the piano
  • Play melodic improvised jazz material based on provided appropriate basic scale choices on the piano
  • Use basic jazz piano arranging techniques to create simple but stylistically appropriate solo and piano trio jazz piano arrangements from lead sheets.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate the ability to play basic jazz piano arrangements in a variety of jazz styles using knowledge of jazz harmony and jazz piano techniques.

  • Demonstrate the ability to improvise on piano through the application of provided scale choices and the application of techniques for melodic development.

Outline

  1. Understand and apply the fundamental elements of basic jazz styles for performance on the piano
    1. Swing
      1. The swing eighth rhythm
      2. Two-beat feel
    2. Blues
      1. Blues ornamentation on the piano
      2. The 12-bar blues chord progression and variations
    3. Ballads
      1. Use of rubato as a means of expression
      2. Use of the piano sustain pedal in a jazz performance
    4. Bossa nova
      1. Bossa nova bass patterns
      2. Highly syncopated rhythms
  2. Read and play simple jazz chords written in standard chord symbol notation on the piano
    1. Jazz chord symbol notation
    2. Triads
    3. Chord inversions and "slash" chords
    4. 7th chords
  3. Play melodic improvised jazz material based on provided appropriate basic scale choices on the piano
    1. Use of the blues scale for improvisation on "bluesy" jazz tunes
    2. The tonal center approach
      1. Understand what a tonal center is in the context of jazz composition
      2. Use of major and minor scales for improvisation in one or more tonal centers of a jazz composition
    3. Basic melodic techniques for improvisation
      1. Melodic reference — using the melody as a source for improvised material
      2. Rhythmic repetition
  4. Use basic jazz piano arranging techniques to create simple but stylistically appropriate solo and piano trio jazz piano arrangements from lead sheets.
    1. Arranging chords in root position or specified inversion in the left hand with melody/improvisation in the right hand
    2. Use of basic broken chord patterns in the left hand
    3. Arrangements using a dedicated bass line
      1. Playing a bass line in a two-beat feel
      2. Playing a bass line in a bossa nova feel
      3. Adding critical harmony notes to the right hand under the melody
    4. Basic endings in jazz arrangements
      1. Simple ritard
      2. Repeated last two or four measures
      3. The "Basie" ending
      4. Surprise chords
    5. Basic piano arranging for jazz piano trio (piano, bass, and drums)
      1. 3rd and 7th left hand chord voicings
      2. Rootless 3-note left hand voicings

Lab Topics

  1. Practice styles including swing, blues, ballads, and bossa nova.
  2. Practice reading and playing jazz chords presented in standard chord symbol notation.
  3. Practice improvising melodic jazz material based on various scales.
  4. Practice creating simple, stylistically-appropriate solo and piano trio jazz piano arrangements.
  5. Students will practice harmonic and melodic ear training skills.
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