Blues Test

Video record and upload the following material to the linked, Google Drive dropbox before 5 PM on Wed., Oct. 4th. If possible, please edit your videos into one file, rather than submitting multiple files. You may submit either the video file(s) or a private YouTube URL. Remember that uploading a video can be a lengthy process. Give yourself sufficient time.

All of the following should be memorized. Do not read music. Try to position your camera to demonstrate that no music is being read. When specified, play along with the recorded background accompaniment for “Sonny Moon for Two,” found on LearnJazzStandards.com. (If absolutely necessary, you may slow the video accompaniment to 75%.)

Here are the test components (read them carefully):

  1. sing the root motion for the blues harmonic progression, using Roman numerals. Unaccompanied, but “in time.” Briskly. (/2)
  2. ascending quarter note arpeggios, outlining the 12-bar form. 1,3 on the turnaround. Unaccompanied. (/2)
  3. descending “bah-bah-doo-dah” arpeggios, outlining the form. Unaccompanied. (/2)
  4. quarter note pattern: 3, 5, 1, 7. For the turnaround play 3, 5. Unaccompanied. (/4)
  5. Using the play-along track, record one chorus of half note improvisation, limited to chord tones (1, 3, 5, 7) played in any order. Avoid consecutive repeated pitches. (/10)
  6. Play the Bb and G blues scales, ascending and descending. 1 octave each. Unaccompanied. (/2)
  7. Using the play-a-long track, record 2 choruses of improvisation — 1 chorus with the Bb blues scale, and 1 chorus with the G blues scale. Think and play motivically. Most importantly, incorporate some space, so as not to produce (non-)musical run-on sentences. (/8)
  8. Using the play-along track, record the Sonny Moon for Two head, played twice, followed by 4 choruses of improvisation, concluded with the head played once more. (In other words: 7 choruses total, including head statements.) Into your solo, aim to incorporate some of the concepts taught in this unit. This could include the 2 blues scales, motivic development, use of space, ascending & descending arpeggios, chord/guide tones, patterns, “bah-bah-doo-dah” rhythms, rhythmic displacement, etc. (/20)

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