Jazz harmony, rhythm and improvisation skills will be taught in this year-long optional module, along with their practical application in performance. The module will enable students to recognise features of a range of jazz styles within a historical context and put them into practice.
This module will be taught through lectures and workshops. All students will engage with the music in theoretical and practical ways and will develop a thorough knowledge of jazz techniques and ideas. Extensive formative feedback will be provided in workshops and practical performance sessions.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures/workshops/seminars | 44 |
Guided independent study | 256 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
The course will be assessed through: (1) a folio of jazz harmony and theory exercises and compositions (30%); (2) through transcription and analysis of a recording of a solo by an experienced practitioner (20%); and (3) by a practical performance that is stylistically appropriate and includes improvised solos (50%).
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
1) demonstrate the ability to understand advanced harmonic, melodic and rhythmic practices of jazz; | Folio, Transcription and Analysis and Performance |
2) demonstrate an ability to perform fluently in a jazz style; | Performance |
3) demonstrate an understanding of advanced compositional practices in jazz; | Folio |
4) demonstrate awareness of the stylistic features of a range of jazz; | Folio, Transcription and Analysis and Performance |
5) to understand the historical contexts of a range of jazz styles. | Folio, Transcription and Analysis and Performance |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
PRC | Performance | 50 |
Coursework | Folio of exercises and compositions | 30 |
Coursework | Transcription and analysis | 20 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Levine M. (1995) The Jazz Theory Book. Petaluma, CA : Sher Music Co.
Gioia T. (1997) The History of Jazz. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Bailey D. (1983) Improvisation – Its Nature and Practice in Music. New York: Prentice-Hall
Berliner P. (1994) Thinking in Jazz: The Art of Improvisation. London: University Of Chicago Press.
Coker J. (1987) Improvising Jazz. New York: Simon and Schuster
Dunlap L. (Ed) (2000) The New Real Book – Volumes 1, 2 & 3. Petaluma, CA : Sher Music Co.
Aebersold, J. (1997-2005) Play-Along CDs - Volumes 1 – 113. New Albany: Jamey Aebersold Jazz
Burns, K. (2001) JAZZ - 8 DVD set; Florentine Films in assoc. with the BBC