Courses
Jazz Ensembles (MUSP 1358, 3358, 3359, 5358): Ensembles are by audition only. See Ensembles page.
Beginning Jazz Theory/Ear Training/Improvisation (MUSC 4555): A practical and theoretical course which includes a detailed study of chord/scale relationships, ear training modes, scales and chords, transcription exercises, basic blues forms and AABA forms, reharmonization and scale theory of the major modes, whole tone and diminished scale. Students will also be expected to memorize and improvise over a number of jazz standards, including blues, modal compositions and ii-V7-I tunes, using these theoretical concepts. Prerequisite: Theory 2, Skills 2 or permission of instructor.
Jazz Composition (MUSC 4899): An in-depth exploration of the compositional styles of significant jazz composers throughout history. Using fundamental concepts from jazz theory, students will perform harmonic, melodic, rhythmic and motivic analysis of compositions to determine elements of style. Class projects will involve student compositions in the style of a particular composer. Prerequisite: MUSC 4555 or permission of instructor.
Jazz History (MUSC 5219): Prerequisites: MUSC 2202 and MUSC 2302, or permission of the instructor. The course traces the development of jazz from minstrel show days, ragtime, blues, and big bands through current jazz idioms.
Functional Jazz Piano (MUSC 4899): A practical study of accompaniment and harmonization techniques from historically significant jazz pianists, and applications to jazz repertoire. Topics include guide tone voice leading, 3,4, and 5-note voicings, and quartal voicings. Lead sheet sight-reading is stressed. Prerequisite: Keyboard 3 or permission of instructor.
For current students: (Spring 2009 documents in PDF format)
Jazz Band (MUSP 1358, 3358, 5358): Syllabus and concert schedule
Beddage Jazz Workshop (MUSP 3359): Syllabus and concert schedule
Jazz History (MUSC 5219): Syllabus, Project Descriptions, Day-by Day Planner
Lectures with embedded audio (best viewed in Microsoft Internet Explorer): Jan 20, Jan 22, Jan 27, Jan 29, Feb 3, Feb 5, Feb 10, Feb 12, Feb 17
Text-only version
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