School: Western Australian 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 4
  • Unit Code

    MUS2317
  • Year

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    10
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Mr Thomas Joseph O'HALLORAN

Description

Jazz improvisation techniques of the Bebop and Post-bop are studied in this unit in order to develop student 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.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Construct improvised melodies that incorporate further extended dominant chord harmony.
  2. Construct improvised melodies that incorporate polyrhythmic concepts.
  3. Construct solos that have a diverse rhythmic element across various tempos.
  4. Display performance stylistic traits common to the bebop and post-bop era within improvisation.

Unit Content

  1. The "Play/Rest" approach.
  2. Controlling phrase lengths and rhythmic density/activity.
  3. Minor Scale Tone Harmony and the Minor ii-V7-i.
  4. Rhythm Changes and variations.
  5. Alternate Blues changes.
  6. 3/4 Hemiolas.
  7. Quarter and 8th note manipulation.
  8. Bebop patterns in 12 keys.

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 solo over repertoire using improvisation concepts from the Unit Content.20%
PerformanceImprovise incorporating melodic and rhythmic devices from the Unit Content as instructed by lecturer.20%
PerformanceBebop patterns in 12 keys as instructed by lecturer.20%
ExaminationImprovise according to lecturer instructions using any of the studied Unit Content during the year.40%

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.

MUS2317|3|1

School: Western Australian 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 4
  • Unit Code

    MUS2317
  • Year

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    4
  • Credit Points

    10
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Mr Thomas Joseph O'HALLORAN

Description

Advanced improvisation techniques of the Bebop, Post-bop periods are studied in this unit in order to develop student facility in the technical and stylistic aspects of improvisation. Complex harmonic forms from the bebop period will be used to provide a basis for these improvisations, with harmonic and rhythmic aspects of improvisation being applied.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Improvise using bebop and post-bop improvisation techniques with a medium complexity.
  2. Construct improvised melodies that incorporate further extended dominant chord harmony.
  3. Construct improvised melodies that incorporate polyrhythmic concepts of a medium complexity.
  4. Apply diverse phrasing within improvisations.

Unit Content

  1. Minor Scale Tone Harmony and the Minor ii-V7-i.
  2. Applying chord substitutions to standard harmonic forms.
  3. Intermediate level polyrhythmic concepts.
  4. Phrase placement and length manipulation.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 2Not Offered11 x 2 hour seminarNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Weekly classes including theoretical work, performance and group collaboration.

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
Creative WorkCompose jazz solos using extended dominant harmony and polyrhythmic techniques 40%
PerformanceImprovise basic jazz solos using extended dominant harmony and polyrhythmic techniques 60%

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.

MUS2317|4|2