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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
MUSID048A
Course Title (CB02)
Jazz Improvisation I
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Development of improvisational skill in the jazz idiom. Analysis of scales, chords, and forms as applicable to improvisational performance of basic standard jazz songs. Ear training and transcribing solos is included. Participation in final recital is required.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
DA - Class Applied Performance - Jazz and Non-Western

Course Justification

The units for this course transfer to all CSUs and UCs, especially for Jazz Studies majors. This course is also accepted for the °®¶¹´«Ã½ Music AA degree. Improvisational skills are needed by music students for performance in most musical styles.

Foothill Equivalency

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

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

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 an 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

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Lecture/demonstration with student application

Mid-term performance feedback from peers and instructor

Assignments

  1. Daily practice and preparation of melodies, scales, and improvisation with CD's accompanying textbook.
  2. Practice basic patterns, sequences, and transcribed motifs by ear with CD's accompanying textbook
  3. Preparation for mid-term and final exam/performances

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Mid-term performance/exam evaluating melodic accuracy, scale knowledge, and improvisational skill.
  2. Final performance/exam evaluated for scale knowledge, improvisational skill, rhythmic feel, demonstration of patterns and sequences, and logical introductions and endings to performed songs.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Personally owned instrument and CD/Ipod player (some college owned instruments and amplifiers are available)
Essential College Facilities:
  • Adequate rehearsal hall
  • Music stands, chairs, and lockers
  • Piano, drum set, and amplifiers
  • Adequate jazz library of sheet music containing standard jazz songs , and recordings of outstanding performances
  • Recording and playback facilities

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Sher, Chuck. "Real Easy Book," Volumes I, II, III. Petaluma, CA : Sher Music Co., 2013
The Real Book, Volume I - 6th Edition. Hal Leonard Publications, 2004.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Levine, Mark. The Jazz Theory Book". Petaluma, CA: Sher Music Co., 1995
Coker, Jerry. "Jazz Improvisation", Prentice-Hall, Engelwood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1964.
Supplementary sheet music materials

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Develop basic skills of playing melodies with jazz interpretation within set jazz forms.
  • Develop theoretical knowledge of improvisational techniques.
  • Participate in artistic performance of basic works form jazz literature, including swing, latin, and ballad rhythmic styles.
  • Develop ear training through practice of basic patterns and sequences over basic chord progressions.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate accurate performance of given jazz melodies while observing correct form, introductions, and tag endings.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic scales/modes, chords, patterns and sequences through performance.

Outline

  1. Develop basic skills of playing melodies with jazz interpretation within set jazz forms.
    1. Play given melodies correctly
    2. Add jazz interpretation and embellishments to the melody
    3. Play melodies while identifying basic 12-bar Blues, 16 bar A-A1, and 32-bar AABA song forms
  2. Develop theoretical knowledge of improvisational techniques.
    1. Structures of major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords including dominant seventh and half-diminished chords
    2. Apply major, dorian , and mixolydian, and blues scales/modes in all twelve keys to above-mentioned chords
  3. Participate in artistic performance of basic works form jazz literature, including swing, latin, and ballad rhythmic styles.
    1. Develop swing eigth-note feel for swing and swing-ballad styles
    2. Develop even eigth-note feel for latin styles
    3. Rehearse introductions and tag endings to given jazz standards.
  4. Develop ear training through practice of basic patterns and sequences over basic chord progressions.
    1. Practice scale-tone triads and sequential patterns by ear over assigned scales and chord progressions
    2. Transcribe musical motifs and solos by major artists on each instrument by ear

Lab Topics

  1. Practice standard jazz melodies and embellishments
  2. Practice major, dorian, mixolydian, and blues scales/modes, applying them to various chord types.
  3. Rehearse with large group and/or ensembles for final performance
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