CLASS JAZZ PIANO

CLASS JAZZ PIANO

PMUS 1515 (2 Credits)

Spring 2007

University of Colorado, Boulder

TR 10-10:50

Room MUS N180C

Instructor: Brian Dean

Phone: 303-735-5299

E-mail: Brian.C.Dean@Colorado.edu

Office: Mackie Room 118 (Jazz T.A. Office)

Office Hours: By appointment only

Required Materials: 1) Textbook—None

2) Manuscript Paper/Pencils for note taking

3) Binder or Folder for handouts

*Available at the CU Bookstore, Online or any Music Store

Pre-requisite: Successful completion of class piano (PMUS 1205) and the piano proficiency exam.

Course Description

This course will provide students with a practical knowledge and proficiency in concepts pertaining to jazz piano. This course is comprehensive. Knowledge and review of materials pertaining to music theory and jazz theory will be important to your success in this course.

Knowledge Objectives

Become familiar with standard chord notation and associated chord scales
Learn various methods for voicing construction
Discussion, analysis and application of different comping approaches

Performance Objectives

1) Voicing Methods

Grading Procedures

Participation/Attendance----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20%

In-Class Written and Performance Exams (Homework)----------------------------------- 30%

Midterm (Performance/Written)---------------------------------------------------------------------- 20%

Final Exam (Performance/Written)------------------------------------------------------------------ 30%

Attendance Policy

Unexcused Absences

Each unexcused absence will lower final grade by one-half grade letter.

Excused Absences

Each student will be allowed two (2) excused absences

Each absence after that will lower final grade by one-half grade letter

Excused absences require 24 hour notice of instructor (except in the case of illness or emergency)
Excused absences are at the instructor’s discretion

Tardiness

Excessive tardiness will lower final grade.

Make-up Exams

There will be no make-up exams—NO EXCEPTIONS!

If you will be missing an exam, it must be taken prior to the exam date.

Students with Disabilities

            If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed.  Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.  Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

Religious Observances

            Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance.  In this class (PMUS 1515), you must advise the instructor at least 24 hours prior to a regular class date, and one week prior to a scheduled exam. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

Classroom Behavior

                  Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions.  Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities.  Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records.  See polices at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html   and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

Discrimination and Harassment

                  The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty.  Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.  Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh

CU Academic Honor Code

                  All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior.  All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html  and at

http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

PMUS 1515

Tentative Course Schedule:

Day / Date Exam Type Topic(s) Assignment/Handout

T 1/16 Written PMUS Preliminary Exam: Various Topics, Tunes Handout #1, 2

R 1/18 (None) Voicing Practice, The Tritone, ii-V-I Handout #3

T 1/23 Written 7th Chords: Spelling various chords Handout #4

R 1/25 Performance ii-V-I: Using the Tritone in “Have You Met Miss Jones?” Handout #5

T 1/30 (None) Diatonic Scales: Modes (Functions) of the Major Scale Handout #6

R 2/1 Written Diatonic Scales: Modes of Major, Upper structure/Extensions Handout #7

T 2/6 Performance 4-Note Voicings: ii_mi⁷—V⁷— I_maj⁷ & ii_mi^7(b5)—V⁷— I_maj⁷ Handout #8

R 2/8 (None) Open Position Voicings: Handout #9

R 2/15 Performance Closed Position: ii_mi⁹—V¹³— I_maj⁹

R 2/22 Performance Open Position Drop-2: ii_mi⁹—V¹³— I_maj⁹—VI^7(b9b13)– ii_mi⁹– V¹³–I_maj⁹

T 2/27 Written Diatonic Scales: Modes of Melodic Minor, extensions TBA

R 2/29 Performance “Body and Soul”

T 3/1 (None) Grips of M.M.: ½ dim., Alt., Ma13

T 3/6 (None) Come to my recital!!!

T 3/13 MIDTERM Performance: “Stella By Starlight”—Grips of M.M.

Written: Diatonic Scales: Major, M.M.

M.M. Grips: Aug. Major, Lydian

REST OF COURSE DATES TBA

Written More Diatonic Scales; Other M.M. Grips, Paired Triads

Written The Diminished Scale: Upper Structure Triads, Grips, Extensions

Written Modes of Limited Transposition: Symmetric Scales

Performance “In Your Own Sweet Way”

Performance Four-Note LH Voicings: iii_mi⁹—VI^7(b9)— ii_mi⁹– V^7(b9)–I_maj⁹

Performance Quartal Voicings: ii_mi¹¹—V¹³— iii_mi¹¹—VI^13(b9)– ii_mi¹¹– V^13(b9)–I_maj^6/9

Performance “Miracle” Voicings: Use of Upper Structure Triads

TBA FINAL EXAM Performance: “All the Things You Are”—ALL 12 KEYS, In Time

Written: Comprehensive Material