Intro To Jazz Improvisation

In this introductory jazz improvisation class, students will concentrate on elements of jazz theory, ear training, transcription, and performance. As a result, students should establish a solid foundation upon which to build as beginning jazz soloists.

Course #: MUSI 1601, section 1.  Two credits.
Semester: Fall 2024.
Instructor: Earl MacDonald, Professor of Music & Director of Jazz Studies
Class meeting time: Mondays & Wednesdays, 12:20 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.
Classroom: MUSB 109
Earl MacDonald’s Office: MUSB 207.
Office Hours: Wednesdays at 10 a.m., and by appointment

(Optional) Text Books:

“Maiden Voyage, Fourteen Easy-To-Play Jazz Tunes,” by Jamey Aebersold
Volume 54.
* play-a-long tracks can be downloaded via iTunes.

“The Jazz Theory Book,” by Mark Levine
Sher Music.  ISBN 1-883217-04-0

A great jazz solo consists of: 1% magic & 99% stuff that is
explainable, analyzable, catergorizeable, doable.
– Mark Levine, jazz pianist/author

The intent of this introductory jazz improvisation course is to focus on the “99% stuff.” By concentrating on elements of jazz theory, ear training, transcription, and playing, students will attain a solid foundation upon which to build as beginning jazz soloists.

Course material will include:

Chord symbol notation, chord/scale theory, basic chord progressions, song forms, rudimentary reharmonization, transcription & analysis of jazz solos, ear training (aural recognition of intervals, scales, chords and progressions), jazz terminology, the application of “licks”, bebop fundamentals, and other relevant topics.

Grading:

Performance tests: 50%
Solo transcription(s) and performance project(s): 20%
Written quizzes: 30%

A mid-semester progress report will be e-mailed from the instructor. The course content and schedule are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion and will be properly communicated to students as changes arise. Note: This online jazz improvisation syllabus and class schedule are malleable, evolving, and frequently updated documents. Check them frequently.

Grading Scale:

Grade Letter Grade GPA
93-100 A 4.0
90-92 A- 3.7
87-89 B+ 3.3
83-86 B 3.0
80-82 B- 2.7
77-79 C+ 2.3
73-76 C 2.0
70-72 C- 1.7
67-69 D+ 1.3
63-66 D 1.0
60-62 D- 0.7
<60 F 0.0

Communication policy

E-mail is the instructor’s preferred method of communication with students. Please allow 24-hours for replies. When requesting a meeting with me outside of my office hours, please submit several meeting time options. I prefer to be addressed as Professor MacDonald.

Copyright

My lectures, notes, handouts, and displays are protected by state common law and federal copyright law. They are my own original expression and I’ve recorded them prior or during my lecture in order to ensure that I obtain copyright protection. Students are authorized to take notes in my class; however, this authorization extends only to making one set of notes for your own personal use and no other use. I will inform you as to whether you are authorized to record my lectures at the beginning of each semester. If you are so authorized to record my lectures, you may not copy this recording or any other material, provide copies of either to anyone else, or make a commercial use of them without prior permission from me.

It is the responsibility of all students to acquaint themselves, and to adhere to all university policies. Please review the following:

Students are expected to follow all safety protocols and to keep current with university communications regarding COVID-19.

Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Related Interpersonal Violence

The University is committed to maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environments for all members of the University community – students, employees, or visitors. Academic and professional excellence can flourish only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. All members of the University community are responsible for the maintenance of an academic and work environment in which people are free to learn and work without fear of discrimination or discriminatory harassment. In addition, inappropriate amorous relationships can undermine the University’s mission when those in positions of authority abuse or appear to abuse their authority. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits discrimination and discriminatory harassment, as well as inappropriate amorous relationships, and such behavior will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University. Additionally, to protect the campus community, all responsible employees (including faculty), as outlined in the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Related Interpersonal Violence, are required to report to the Office of Institutional Equity any information that they receive related to sexual assaults, intimate partner violence, and/or stalking involving a student. An exception to this reporting exists if students disclose information as a part of coursework submitted to an instructor in connection with a course assignment. Even in the absence of such obligation, all Employees are encouraged to contact OIE if they become aware of information that suggests a safety risk to the University community or any member thereof. The University takes all reports with the utmost seriousness. Please be aware that while the information you provide will remain private, it will not be confidential and will be shared with university officials who can help. More information, including confidential and exempt employee resources available for support and assistance, can be found at equity.uconn.edu and titleix.uconn.edu.

Statement on Absences from Class Due to Religious Observances and Extra-Curricular Activities

Faculty and instructors are expected to reasonably accommodate individual religious practices unless doing so would result in fundamental alteration of class objectives or undue hardship to the University’s legitimate business purposes. Such accommodations may include rescheduling an exam or giving a make-up exam, allowing a presentation to be made on a different date or assigning the student appropriate make-up work that is intrinsically no more difficult than the original assignment. Faculty and instructors are strongly encouraged to allow students to complete work missed due to participation in extra-curricular activities that enrich their experience, support their scholarly development, and benefit the university community. Examples include participation in scholarly presentations, performing arts, and intercollegiate sports, when the participation is at the request of, or coordinated by, a University official. Students should be encouraged to review the course syllabus at the beginning of the semester for potential conflicts and promptly notify their instructor of any anticipated accommodation needs. Students are responsible for making arrangements in advance to make up missed work.

For conflicts with final examinations, students should contact the Dean of Students Office. Faculty and instructors are also encouraged to respond when the Counseling Program for Intercollegiate Athletes (CPIA) requests student progress reports. This will enable the counselors to give our students appropriate advice.

Students with Disabilities

The University of Connecticut is committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and assuring that the learning environment is accessible. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability or pregnancy, please let me know immediately so that we can discuss options. Students who require accommodations should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities, Wilbur Cross Building Room 204, (860) 486-2020 or http://csd.uconn.edu/.

Emergency Management/Preparedness

In case of inclement weather, a natural disaster, or a campus emergency, the University communicates through email and text message. Students are encouraged to sign up for alerts through http://alert.uconn.edu. Students should be aware of emergency procedures, and further information is available through the Office of Emergency Management at http://publicsafety.uconn.edu/emergency/.

Some useful telephone numbers:

Note: This online syllabus/class schedule is an evolving and frequently updated document. Therefore, check it frequently.

Class Schedule



Aug. 26 (Monday):

Course outline, content, office hours & grading explained.
Topic #1: chord symbol notation: triads & seventh chords.

Aug. 28 (Wednesday):

Topic #2: chordal extensions & alterations.
* Print and study the PDF attachments. Complete the homework practice assignments (found at the bottom of the topical web pages).
Chord Construction Worksheet
Chord Symbol Notation & Identification
KEY – Chord Construction Worksheet

Sept. 2 (Monday): Labor Day – No classes

Sept. 4 (Wednesday):

Topic #3: labeling “voiced” chords. 

Sept. 9 (Monday):

Courses dropped after this date will have a “W” for withdrawal recorded on the academic record. Last day to add or drop courses without additional signatures.

Homework: chord symbol practice test #1,  [answer key]
Topic #4: Learning from recordings.
Reading: 1) Why transcribe? 2) Transcription techniques
Assignment: Transcription Project — Transcribe, learn and memorize 2 choruses (minimum) of the blues from a recording of your choice, approved by Prof. MacDonald. Due dates: Solos must be selected & approved by Sept. 23rd. Completed transcriptions will be submitted on Oct. 16th. Finally, solos will be performed with and without the recording on Nov. 13th.

Sept. 11 (Wednesday):

Topic #5: the blues: chord progression & harmonic analysis. Blues scale, arpeggiating chords, chord tone patterns, and improvising with chord tones.
Sonny Moon for Two and blues worksheets distributed.
Play-a-long track
Homework: chord symbol practice test #2, [answer key]

Sept. 16 (Monday):

Bessie’s Blues – John Coltrane
Call and response ear-training exercises.
Practice session: the blues.
Rhythmic displacement of 4-note cells.
Homework: chord symbol practice test #3, [answer key]

Sept. 18 (Wednesday):

Quiz: chord symbol notation, identification & labeling. (10%)

Sept. 23 (Monday):

Deadline for solo transcription selection & approval.
Ear-training exercises.

Topic #6: song forms: AABA, ABAC, AA1 etc.

tunes: Satin Doll, Oleo, Anthropology, Just Friends, It’s You Or No-one, On Green Dolphin Street

Introduction to So What and Impressions. [iTunes play-a-long download link] [YouTube – slow] [YouTube – faster]
Practice session: the blues.

Sept. 25 (Wednesday):

Topic #7: diatonic seventh chord harmony: major & minor scales.

Guy LaFleur #10 – Montreal Canadiens

Topic #8: soloing with thirds, triads & seventh chords as “building blocks” – C major (concert pitch), D major (Bb transposition), A major (Eb transposition), C major in bass clef.

Free, online play-a-long accompaniment track

Sept. 30 (Monday):

Practice session: Impressions, and the blues

Oct. 2 (Wednesday):

Playing test: the blues (10%)

The guidelines for the blues test are outlined on the linked page, below. Your video must be submitted to the linked OneDrive dropbox by 5PM.

Blues Test

We will not meet as a class today.

Oct. 4 (Friday) – Oct. 18 (Friday):

Mid-semester grading period and progress reports issued.

Oct. 7 (Monday):

Topic #9: Chord-scale theory.
Diatonic seventh chord harmony (continued) and symmetrical scales (chromatic, whole tone, diminished, augmented)
Impressions practice session.

Oct. 9 (Wednesday):

the Altered scale
Topic #10: Articulating Five to I,  V7 to I “licks” and practice techniques.

Summertime: Analysis of song form & harmony.  Recorded examples.
head, arpeggios, V⇒I and ii-V⇒I licks, blues, V7 to I resolutions

Impressions practice session.

Oct. 14 (Monday):

Summertime scale options.
Blues Scale application to Summertime.
Topic #11: Articulating dominant chords resolving to I.
V7 to I “licks” and practice techniques.

Oct. 16 (Wednesday):

Deadline for submitting completed solo transcriptions.(5%)
Review: chord–scale relationships.
“Summertime” practice session: head, arpeggios, V⇒I and ii-V⇒I licks, blues,
V7 to I resolutions

Oct. 21 (Monday):

Review: arpeggios, V⇒I and ii-V⇒I licks
Topic #12: Triadic Upper Extensions
Topic #13: motivic sequencing & development
Summertime practice session: chord tone arpeggiation/improv., V7 to I resolutions, triadic upper extensions
Chord-scale relationships practice quiz homework

Oct. 23 (Wednesday):

Summertime practice session. [YouTube backing tracks: option 1: quarter = 100, option 2: bass only, option 3: fast]
Topic #14: major pentatonic scales applied to Summertime
Chord-scale relationships practice quiz homework

Oct. 28 (Monday):

Playing test: Impressions (15%)

In lieu of an in-class performance assessment, please prepare and submit a video recording using the guidelines outlined at the link below. Upload your submission to the linked OneDrive drop box before 5 p.m. today.

So What/Impressions Test

Review: chord–scale relationships and diatonic harmony.

Oct. 30 (Wednesday):

Review: 

“Summertime” practice session.

Nov. 4 (Monday):

Quiz: chord-scale relationships. (10%)

Nov. 6 (Wednesday):

Applying triadic upper extensions, V7 licks, and pentatonic scales to other songs.
Analysis of selections from the standard jazz repertoire.
“Summertime” practice session.
[YouTube backing tracks: option 1: quarter = 100, option 2: bass only, option 3: fast]

Nov. 11 (Monday):

Last day to withdraw from a course
Final “Summertime” practice session: head, arpeggios, licks, blues, pentatonics
[YouTube backing tracks: option 1: quarter = 100, option 2: bass only, option 3: fast]
Applying V7 licks to other songs.

Nov. 13 (Wednesday):

Playing test: Performance of solo transcriptions (15%)

Use today’s class period to record and submit your solo transcription project. Perform your transcribed solo with and without the recording. Upload your video recordings to the linked OneDrive dropbox before 5 p.m..

Nov. 18 (Monday):

Review for cumulative written quiz: Practice Quiz #1, Practice Quiz #2

Nov. 20 (Wednesday):

Playing test: “Summertime” (15%)

In lieu of an in-class performance assessment, please prepare and submit a video recording using the guidelines outlined at the link below. Upload your video recordings to the linked OneDrive dropbox before 5 p.m..

Summertime Test

Nov. 24 – 30: Thanksgiving Recess

Dec. 2 (Monday):

Cumulative written quiz (10%) – “in person”

Dec. 4 (Wednesday):

Review for playing quiz
Requested topics, TBA

Dec. 6 (Friday): Last day of fall semester classes

Dec. 7, 8 & 12: Reading Days

Dec. 9 – 15: Final Examination

Cumulative jazz improvisation performance test (10%)

  • Due: (anytime, on or before) Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 at 5 p.m.. Upload your recording to the linked OneDrive dropbox.
  • Video record yourself performing…

    “Sonny Moon for Two,”
    “Impressions,” [YouTube – slow] [YouTube – faster] and
    “Summertime” [option 1: quarter = 100, option 2: bass only, option 3: fast]

    with recorded accompaniment, using the following format for each song:
    • head, 3 choruses of improv, out-head
    • review and incorporate the various skills and topics discussed and learned throughout the  semester.
    • Late submissions will not be accepted.

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