Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Jazz Improvisation 1
  • Unit Code

    MUS1308
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    10
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

Basic jazz improvisation techniques are studied in this unit in order to develop the students facility in the technical and stylistic aspects of improvisation. Ensemble repertoire will be used to provide a basis for these improvisations, with both harmonic and rhythmic aspects of improvisation being considered.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded MUS1106

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Compose solos incorporating the techniques studied.
  2. Improvise incorporating rhythmic diversity.
  3. Improvise using chord tones over course repertoire.
  4. Improvise using guide tones over course repertoire.
  5. Understand basic harmonic structures of the jazz tradition.

Unit Content

  1. Basic Jazz harmony.
  2. Basic melodic construction.
  3. Basic rhythmic exercises.
  4. Chord tone soloing.
  5. Guide tone soloing.
  6. The Blues.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, Workshops

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentWrite and perform a two chorus solo over a piece from the core repertoire, as selected by lecturer. 20%
PerformancePerform a solo incorporating chord tones, jazz rhythms, guide tones, note leading and major modes.20%
AssignmentWrite and perform written solo over Rhythm Changes using turnarounds, guide tones and the blues.20%
ExaminationPerform two unaccompanied choruses over core repertoire using improvisation techniques assigned.40%

Text References

  • Levine, M. (1995). The jazz theory book. USA: Sher Music.
  • Crook, H. (2002). How to improvise. USA: Advance Music.
  • Crook, H. (1999). Ready, aim, improvise. USA: Advance Music.
  • Baker, D. (1984). Jazz improvisation. USA: Alfred Publishing Co.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MUS1308|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Jazz Improvisation 1
  • Unit Code

    MUS1308
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    10
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

Basic jazz techniques are studied in this unit in order to develop the students facility in the technical and stylistic aspects of improvisation. Ensemble repertoire will be used to provide a basis for these improvisations, with both harmonic and rhythmic aspects of improvisation being considered.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded MUS1106

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Compose solos incorporating the techniques studied.
  2. Improvise incorporating rhythmic diversity.
  3. Improvise using chord tones over course repertoire.
  4. Improvise using guide tones over course repertoire.
  5. Understand basic harmonic structures of the jazz tradition.

Unit Content

  1. Jazz Theory and Harmony fundamentals.
  2. Basic Jazz rhythms and syncopation.
  3. Bebop patterns in 12 keys.
  4. Guide Tone, Chord Tone and Triad soloing.
  5. Modes of the Major scale.
  6. The Blues scale
  7. Rhythm Changes

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, Workshops

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestJazz Theory Fundamentals20%
AssignmentWrite and perform a solo over repertoire using improvisation concepts from the Unit Content.20%
PerformanceBebop patterns in 12 keys as instructed by lecturer. 20%
ExaminationImprovise using any improvisation topic from the semester Unit Content as instructed by lecturer.40%

Text References

  • Crook, H. (2002). How to improvise. USA: Advance Music.
  • Levine, M. (1995). The jazz theory book. USA: Sher Music.
  • Baker, D. (1984). Jazz improvisation. USA: Alfred Publishing Co.
  • Crook, H. (1999). Ready, aim, improvise. USA: Advance Music.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MUS1308|1|2