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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
MUSID048C
Course Title (CB02)
Jazz Improvisation III
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Development of improvisational skill in the jazz idiom. More advanced analysis of scales, chords, and forms applicable to improvisational performance of advanced 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

This course is accepted at all CSUs and UCs, especially for Jazz Studies music majors. These units are also accepted toward an AA degree. More advanced improvisational skills are needed by music students for performance in most styles of music.

Foothill Equivalency

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

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Formerly Statement
(Formerly MUSI D068C.)

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)

MUSI D048B or by instructor consent

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

  • Daily practice and preparation of melodies, scales, and improvisation using CD's accompanying textbook
  • Practice advanced patterns, sequences, and transcribed motifs by ear with accompanying Cd's with textbook
  • Preparation for mid-term and final exam/performances

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Mid-term performance/exam evaluated for accurate melodies, scale knowledge, and creative improvisational skill
  2. Final performance/exam evaluated for advanced scale knowledge, rhythmic feel, demonstration of advanced patterns and sequences, and creative 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, microphones, and amplifiers
  • Adequate jazz library of sheet music containing standard jazz tunes, and recordings of outstanding jazz 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
Aebersold, Jamey. "Invitation", Vol.59. New Albany, IN: Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Inc., 1994

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

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

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Develop more advanced skills of playing melodies and forms in Hard Bop, Afro-Cuban, Samba, and ballad styles
  • Develop further theoretical knowledge of more advanced improvisational techniques
  • Participate in artistic performance of more advanced works from jazz literature, including funk styles
  • Develop advanced ear training through transcribing complex solos and practicing complex patterns and sequences using fourth chords and chromatic scales

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate ability to perform Hard Bop and Funk styles while using advanced altered and diminished scales for improvisation.

  • Demonstrate through performance, the ability to play advanced alterations of all four chord types by playing more advanced patterns and sequences.

Outline

  1. Develop more advanced skills of playing melodies and forms in Hard Bop, Afro-Cuban, Samba, and ballad styles
    1. Improvising at uptempo speeds in Hard Bop and Samba styles
    2. Using creative jazz interpretation and improvisation on harmonically complex ballads using double time feel and exact double time
  2. Develop further theoretical knowledge of more advanced improvisational techniques
    1. Adding higher extensions to all four chord types including flat-5, flat-9, sharp-11,and 13ths
    2. Apply and review all scale/mode types, including the use of altered and diminished scales on altered dominant-seven chords
  3. Participate in artistic performance of more advanced works from jazz literature, including funk styles
    1. Continue honing improvisational skills in blues, bebop and latin styles using swing and even-eigth note rhythmic styles
    2. Develop improvising in funk/fusion rhythmic style
  4. Develop advanced ear training through transcribing complex solos and practicing complex patterns and sequences using fourth chords and chromatic scales

Lab Topics

  1. Practice improvisational skills in blues, bebop and latin styles using swing and even-eigth note rhythmic styles
  2. Practice more advanced improvisations with extended harmonies and higher tempos
  3. Rehearse for final performance with large and/or small ensembles.
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