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Ted Pease on (teaching) composition

These ideas appear in the new book published by Berklee Press "Jazz Composition"

assignment 1

• look at melodic rhythms
• give rhythms to a popular melody
• ask student to identify the tune

assignment 2

• give prewritten rhythm
• assign mode
• write 8 bar melody

assignment 3

• give melody
• ask to write harmony (diatonic only)
• later write melody notes as tensions only

assignment 4

• write riff blues
• write riffs w/3rd phrase variations (punch line)
• good examples of this scheme are: blues walk, nows time, birks works

assignment 5

• write through composed blues
• use rhythmic repetition to create coherence

assignment 6

• write a tune using sequence
• good examples of this scheme are: woody n you, naima, honeysuckle rose

assignment 7

• rhythm remains constant/notes move
• 2nd phrase is commentary on1st
• antecedent/consequent phrases (question and answer)
• supply answer phrases
• ask student to provide question

assignment 8

• write a ballad
• bridge on IV chord
• usually with a temporary secondary modulation 1/2 way through the bridge
• return to home key at end of bridge

assignment 9

• write in abac form
• c section must contain highest note
• tunes that are examples of this are: airegin, child is born, in a mellow tone

assignment 10

• (harmony)
• diatonic
• secondary dominants (ask in Fmaj what is a7?)
• substitute dominant
• corresponding II chords
• passing diminished chords and their functions

assignment 11

• construct melodies based on guide tones w/embellishment
• (label embellishments)

assignment 12

• write rhythm changes
• then write in same form without the template

assignment 13

• write a melody with an ostinato