MUSC 3071, Jazz
Improvisation II Spring
Semester 2007
Instructor: Johannes
Weidenmueller
Office: Macky 117 Phone: 917-991-0865 Email:
Johannesw@earthlink.net
Prerequisite: Musc-3081, Jazz
Theory and Aural Foundations
Grades will be based on the following criteria:
1. Regular and punctual class attendance. Three
unexcused absences will result in the lowering
your grade by one full letter
2. Successful completion of weekly composition
assignments given in class.
3. One written transcription of a jazz solo no
shorter than 36 measures.
4. One aural transcription of a solo that is to be
vocalized in class.
5. Development of repertoire. The student is required
to add 10 new tunes to his/her repertoire over
the course of the semester. You will be asked to
perform these tunes in a key and meter to be
specified by the instructor at the time of the final
exam.
6. There will be one final exam during the last week
of classes that will consist of a performance
part as well as an oral quiz on the material
presented in class
7. Active participation in class
The objective of this course is to further increase
the students knowledge of rhythmic, harmonic and
melodic concepts in jazz improvisation as a vehicle
for creative self-expression.
For the first half of the
semester the areas of rhythm and form will be separated from those of melody
and harmony. Tuesdays segment of the class will be devoted to applications of
melody and harmony. Areas covered will be scalar approach to improvisation, voice
leading and motific improvisation as well as harmonic approaches,
reharmonizations and so forth. Thursdays segment will concentrate on
applications of rhythm over form such as subdivisions, groupings and
displacements. In addition the first half of the semester will concentrate on
the development of a strong vocal/instrumental connection through the
development of strong aural skills. The second half of the semester will focus
on combining the areas of rhythm and form with those of melody and harmony as well
as an expansion of repertoire
1/18 Introduction
and overview of Syllabus.
1/23 Body
and Soul
1/25 Triplets:
becoming comfortable on all parts of the beat
1/30 Body
and Soul: chord connection using scalar approach
2/1 Triplets:
basic groupings
2/6 Body
and Soul: chord connection using leading tones
2/8 Triplets:
basic groupings over a form
2/13 Body
and Soul: upper structure triads
2/15 Triplets:
advanced groupings over a form
2/20 Guest
Lecturer: Art Lande: free improvisation-tools, concepts, vocab.
2/22 Guest
Lecturer: Ty Burhoe: indian rhythmic concepts in jazz
2/27 Guest
Lecturer: Art Lande: spontaneous composition
3/1 Eighth-Notes:
getting comfortable on all beats/ basic groupings
3/6 Body
and Soul: Coleman Hawkins
3/8 Eight
Notes: basic groupings over a form
3/13 Guest
Lecturer: Art Lande: group dynamics, interaction
3/15 Eighth
Notes: advanced groupings over a form
3/20 Midterm
test on harmonic/ melodic material, vocalize Hawkins solo
3/22 Midterm
test on rhythmic material
3/27 Spring
Break
3/29 Spring
Break
4/3 Blues
reharmonizations/ blues heads
4/5 Application
of prev. learned rhythmic material over blues
4/10 Various
types of rhythm changes with melodies
4/12 Application
of prev. learned rhythmic material over rhythm changes
4/17 Aural
skills/ Expansion of repertoire
4/19 Aural
skills/ Expansion of repertoire
4/24 Review
4/26 ` Review/
written transcription due
5/1 Final
exam