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Jazz Improvisation Class Syllabus

Course: Jazz Improvisation 1 (Mus 189/199) 2 units

Class #: 2192

Description: an exploration of the techniques of melodic composition and improvisation based on the scales and chords used in jazz

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor; Music 105 Fundamentals-an intensive course in beginning music theory basic staff reading, intervals, scales, simple triads, and their connection in major keys OR EQUIVILENT PRIOR STUDY.

Days and Times: T, Th 1-1:50

Instructor: Pete Estabrook

Contact information: 664-2134 (2) (school email address is not listed here to avoid spam) contact the instructor through this site for consultation

Office Hours: By appointment in a room TBA (As an adjunct, the instructor does not have a office.)

General Considerations:

• Each student must be officially registered and enrolled in the ensemble in order to attend class meetings for insurance coverage and security reasons.
• Each student, who meets the enrollment requirement, is entitled to printed musical parts (for which they are completely and solely responsible for and required to bring to each meeting) and permitted to attend weekly class meetings.Class participation involves: Demonstrated verbal and musical participation, musical assignment preparation (as outlined verbally by the instructor during class) including; playing (or singing), writing, verbally spelling scales and chords, harmonic recognition, and memorizing melodies and chord progressions; study and application of scales; chords; licks; II-V patterns; performance ear training; melody, guide tone, or bass part writing; chord progressions; analytical listening to recording models; pre-written solo transcription study, memorization of melodies and forms.
• There will be a written assignment preceeding each unit (see the class schedule). Points for each assignment will vary. There will be a verbal, written, and performance quiz concluding each unit (see the class schedule). Points for each quiz will vary. There will be a cumulative assignment reviewing all the material studied during the course of the semester. The date of the final exam is: Thursday, December 17th from 2-3:50.

Additional Grading Considerations:

A- exceptional work beyond what is required; work of considerable quantity and quality; complete memorization and assimilation of scales, chords, melodies, and forms; knows where he/she (and everyone else) is at all times while improvising or accompanying; beyond technical considerations; dwelling in the artistic realm; excellent and earnest attitude toward instructor and fellow students; perfect attendance; one missed class during the semester is allowable due to illness;

B- work completed as required with a gracious and supportive attitude; required material is completed with good quality; knows where he/she is a considerable portion of the time; perhaps not perfect mastery or memorization, but shows excellent efforts; puts in more than last minute time on assigned tasks; near perfect attendance; perhaps late a few times; missing no more than 2 classes due to illness;

C- work completed, but not within the time frame specified by the instructor; has the necessary abilities, but does not demonstrate full potential; frequently lost within the form; unable to use the appropriate chord/scale at the appropriate time; last minute efforts are the norm; some attitude difficulties or conflicts; unprepared a few times; possibly late to several class meetings or missing several classes completely; lost or missing parts at 2 classes; missing no more than 3 classes for appropriate reasons;

D- tries, but is barely able to accomplish minimum requirements; attendance and attitude difficulties exist; nearly always lost; unable to apply chord/scale knowledge in tempo; unable to keep up with the pace of the class in general; missing parts more than twice; lost parts more than twice; late more often than on time; missing 4 classes for any reason; repeatedly unprepared; holding up class progress as whole; disruptive or disrespectful attitude demonstrated; talking or playing while the instructor is delivering lecture; playing at inappropriate volume levels;

F- almost no work is accomplished; excessive attendance and attitude problems exist; this grade jeopardizes the student’s ability to repeat the course in future semesters.

Additional Grading Information:

• Students are expected to bring the provided musical parts, a pencil, music paper, and a properly functioning musical instrument (including personally owned patch chords for guitar or bass) to each class meeting.
• Students are expected to attend all class meetings on time and prepared.
• If you do not call, email, or verbally notify the instructor with a legitimate reason for your absence (24 hours prior to class), you may be denied the ability to turn in late assignments or take make-up quizzes.
• Missing 4 or more classes during the semester may result the student being dropped from the course.
• Failure to turn in more than 2 written assignments may result in failure of the course.
• Failure to take more than 2 quizzes may result in failure of the course.
• Legitimate absence: extreme illness (high fever, vomiting, diziness, etc.), ssu ensemble performance, car accident, death in the family, etc.
• Non-legitimate absence: vacation plans, homework, lack of instrument or equipment, car maintenance, ball game tickets, etc.
• The final exam will be given Thursday, Decemer 17th from 2-3:50.
• Report any final exam time conflicts to the instructor immediately.
• Less than 24 hours notification of final exam conflicts is unacceptable.
• Failure to take the final exam may result in failure of the course.
• Take responsibility for class time. It should be a test of your daily work on the music not a personal practice session.

General Facility Information:

• No food or drinks in the classroom. (water is ok)
• No smoking in hallways (or classroom).