What to practice to develop jazz language
| what to practice.pdf |
Mt. San Antonio College Music Department
JAZZ COMBO (MUS 38)
Tuesday 11:30 a.m. – 12:55 p.m.
CRN 43942
Instructor: Marcus Wilcher
email: [email protected]
Course Syllabus
TEXT:
Depending upon group placement, students may be asked to purchase one of the following texts: Real Easy Book Volumes I, II, III, The Real Book.
DESCRIPTION:
The course is designed to enhance musical performance skills through the rehearsal of all styles of jazz.
STUDENT OUTCOMES:
· Be part of a cohesive group with the aim of developing a distinct musical personality.
· Memorize and perform several tunes from jazz popular repertoire.
· Become a stronger improviser within the small group context.
OBJECTIVES:
· To learn how a jazz musician functions in a combo setting.
· To learn "Standard Repertoire." This includes both jazz tunes and standard tunes.
· To solidify the soloist's harmonic and rhythmic improvised musical language.
· To develop improvised solos that are cohesive in nature and within the style parameters of the given repertoire.
· To develop a sense of programming and pacing within all members of the group.
· To develop appropriate rhythm section comping skills within the style parameters of the given repertoire.
· To develop individual creativity through performance, composition, and arranging.
· Performances - All members of the combos are required to participate in these performances.
REQUIRMENTS:
· Combos will rehearse one hour per week, but is strongly encouraged to meet outside of class. Students should prepare all repertoire and assignments prior to these rehearsals.
· All repertoire with the exception of arrangements should be memorized. This includes the introductions, melodies, chord changes, and endings.
· Students may be asked to demonstrate melodies, chords, and scales for a grade.
· When assignments are given, students will be expected to complete the assignments on the given due date. If assignments are not completed by the due date, the instructor reserves the right to lower the student's grade on that assignment.
· Students must be responsible, attend rehearsal, actively participate, and contribute in terms of the musical content.
ATTENDANCE:
Students will be allowed two absences. After the second absence, the student’s total semester grade will be lowered five percentage points (half a letter grade) per absence.
Students must notify the professor in advance by phone. Extenuating circumstances will be considered at the discretion of the instructor.
Class time begins at the posted start time. Lateness is unacceptable. For every two times a student is late to class or
leaves early, it will be counted as an absence.
PREPARATION:
Preparation is crucial for the group’s success. With smaller groups, there is no room to hide. Many times there will be one individual per part and lack of preparation on that part will bring the whole group down.
PERFORMANCE:
All members of the combos are required to participate in these performances. Failure to do so will result in an F for the course. Dates may arise for on and off campus performances. Proper notification will be given so scheduling adjustments can be made. The best performing combo may be asked to perform on the Jazz Concert in the Clarke Theatre. A separate combo concert may be scheduled (date to be determined) in the recital hall or in the band room.
PLAYING TESTS:
Students will be required to learn the song melody, chords, and scales from the tunes assigned in class. A pop quiz on the chords, scales and melody may be administered at any time. Please be prepared! Scales and chords may not be written down, everything must be memorized.
GRADING POLICY
Attendance 30 %
Preparation 30%
Concert Performance 20%
Playing Tests (scales, chords, song melodies) 20%
PRACTICE
It is important that you understand your role in a combo. Here are some helpful concepts to remember when you
practice.
1. Know the melody and formal structure of the tunes you are playing. Forms may vary, but are generally 12 bar blues, or some type of 32-bar song form (AABA, ABAC, etc.). There are some variants of these forms. Be in
2. Control of your melodic playing, especially regarding intonation.
3. Know what key areas are represented by the music.
4. Practice the arpeggios of the tunes harmonic structure. It is imperative that you know all of the chord tones, at least R-3-5-7, of the chords in the tunes that you are playing. This will eventually become a "safety net" of notes that you can refer to in your improvisation.
5. Know what scales are primarily associated with each chord in the tunes you are playing.
6. Listen to as much jazz as you possibly can. We did not grow up with this musical style; therefore it is not in our nature to play it well at first try. The more you listen, the easier it will be for you to play and understand. At least listen to several different versions of the tunes you are playing
JAZZ COMBO (MUS 38)
Tuesday 11:30 a.m. – 12:55 p.m.
CRN 43942
Instructor: Marcus Wilcher
email: [email protected]
Course Syllabus
TEXT:
Depending upon group placement, students may be asked to purchase one of the following texts: Real Easy Book Volumes I, II, III, The Real Book.
DESCRIPTION:
The course is designed to enhance musical performance skills through the rehearsal of all styles of jazz.
STUDENT OUTCOMES:
· Be part of a cohesive group with the aim of developing a distinct musical personality.
· Memorize and perform several tunes from jazz popular repertoire.
· Become a stronger improviser within the small group context.
OBJECTIVES:
· To learn how a jazz musician functions in a combo setting.
· To learn "Standard Repertoire." This includes both jazz tunes and standard tunes.
· To solidify the soloist's harmonic and rhythmic improvised musical language.
· To develop improvised solos that are cohesive in nature and within the style parameters of the given repertoire.
· To develop a sense of programming and pacing within all members of the group.
· To develop appropriate rhythm section comping skills within the style parameters of the given repertoire.
· To develop individual creativity through performance, composition, and arranging.
· Performances - All members of the combos are required to participate in these performances.
REQUIRMENTS:
· Combos will rehearse one hour per week, but is strongly encouraged to meet outside of class. Students should prepare all repertoire and assignments prior to these rehearsals.
· All repertoire with the exception of arrangements should be memorized. This includes the introductions, melodies, chord changes, and endings.
· Students may be asked to demonstrate melodies, chords, and scales for a grade.
· When assignments are given, students will be expected to complete the assignments on the given due date. If assignments are not completed by the due date, the instructor reserves the right to lower the student's grade on that assignment.
· Students must be responsible, attend rehearsal, actively participate, and contribute in terms of the musical content.
ATTENDANCE:
Students will be allowed two absences. After the second absence, the student’s total semester grade will be lowered five percentage points (half a letter grade) per absence.
Students must notify the professor in advance by phone. Extenuating circumstances will be considered at the discretion of the instructor.
Class time begins at the posted start time. Lateness is unacceptable. For every two times a student is late to class or
leaves early, it will be counted as an absence.
PREPARATION:
Preparation is crucial for the group’s success. With smaller groups, there is no room to hide. Many times there will be one individual per part and lack of preparation on that part will bring the whole group down.
PERFORMANCE:
All members of the combos are required to participate in these performances. Failure to do so will result in an F for the course. Dates may arise for on and off campus performances. Proper notification will be given so scheduling adjustments can be made. The best performing combo may be asked to perform on the Jazz Concert in the Clarke Theatre. A separate combo concert may be scheduled (date to be determined) in the recital hall or in the band room.
PLAYING TESTS:
Students will be required to learn the song melody, chords, and scales from the tunes assigned in class. A pop quiz on the chords, scales and melody may be administered at any time. Please be prepared! Scales and chords may not be written down, everything must be memorized.
GRADING POLICY
Attendance 30 %
Preparation 30%
Concert Performance 20%
Playing Tests (scales, chords, song melodies) 20%
PRACTICE
It is important that you understand your role in a combo. Here are some helpful concepts to remember when you
practice.
1. Know the melody and formal structure of the tunes you are playing. Forms may vary, but are generally 12 bar blues, or some type of 32-bar song form (AABA, ABAC, etc.). There are some variants of these forms. Be in
2. Control of your melodic playing, especially regarding intonation.
3. Know what key areas are represented by the music.
4. Practice the arpeggios of the tunes harmonic structure. It is imperative that you know all of the chord tones, at least R-3-5-7, of the chords in the tunes that you are playing. This will eventually become a "safety net" of notes that you can refer to in your improvisation.
5. Know what scales are primarily associated with each chord in the tunes you are playing.
6. Listen to as much jazz as you possibly can. We did not grow up with this musical style; therefore it is not in our nature to play it well at first try. The more you listen, the easier it will be for you to play and understand. At least listen to several different versions of the tunes you are playing
| mt_sac_tune_list.pdf |