MUJS 3370-5370 Advanced Jazz Improvisation IV Professor: Pat Coil Office: MU #272 Office Hours: T/TH 9:00-9:50am Office Phone: 940.565.2229 Email: patrick.coil@unt.edu Class Times: Fall: T/TH 11:00-11:50am MU#262 Spring: M/W 10:00-10:50am MU#263-Lab Band East Prerequisite: Successful completion ( B or better) of MUJS 3360 Course Description: This is an interactive class, with much of the time spent playing. Lectures, discussions, student performances and critiques; as well as listening to and analyzing great improvisers are also part of the curriculum. My focus is to teach the solo as a spontaneous composition, as well as an extension of the emotion that the student wants to convey. Students will be videotaped during performances as a teaching tool, and it is advised that students tape themselves as often as possible while practicing, as well as critically listen to themselves. Students are expected to practice consistently and come to class prepared. Make certain to practice your own musical ideas as well as your transcriptions. The responsibility for doing the necessary work to develop and progress as an improvisor rests with the student. There is a set list, and a detailed syllabus. Students will also be analyzing and critiquing themselves; in addition to writing lead sheets, transcription, and an original composition. Course Goals: To effectively help students with the process of learning, understanding, and becoming comfortable with the technical aspects of improvisation; while further developing the ability to reach outside the comfort zone. The ultimate goal is for students to experience the joy of improvisation and effectively communicate with their fellow musicians and the listener. Concepts to be explored: Composing melodic lines Singing solos Use of space Motivic development Outlining changes Structure of a solo Building a jazz vocabulary Ideas vs random notes Phrasing and dynamics Intervals and harmonic shapes Improv practice techniques Rhythm section interaction Developing a time feel Rhythmic interest Connecting with the listener
Students should use computer notation whenever possible. Otherwise, excellent print is required. Please remember, flexibility is key. Students will be playing with a variety of other instrumentalists during this class - there is no set instrumentation or set numbers. We work within the parameters of who is enrolled in the course at the time. Our final three weeks will be the final improvisation performance evaluations, and FIPE preparations. Attendance Policy: As a participant in this course, you are making a commitment to yourself, fellow musicians, and to me. All of my students are expected to practice, to be prepared, and to attend each scheduled class. Attendance is required. Please contact me if necessary: patrick.coil@unt.edu 615.498.2382 Excused absences are permitted with approval by the professor. Either the student or student s family must contact the professor via email, phone, or in person as follows: * In the case of accident, illness or family emergency ~ within 48 hours after the absence. * In the case of a known absence, permission may be granted one week or more prior to the absence. *After three unexcused absences your grade will be lowered one letter grade. Four unexcused absences will result in a failing grade. If you miss class for a valid reason, you are responsible for turning any missed assignments. Grading: 5 *Assignments @ 7% each = 35% 5 Playing Evaluations @ 6% each = 30% Final playing evaluation = 35% Total possible = 100% Please Note: Jazz Studies majors must achieve an A or B to receive the credit towards your degree. Final Grade: A=100-90% B=89-80% C=79-70% D=69-60% F=59-0% Note: Syllabus is subject to change with notification.
MUJS 3370 - Advanced Improv IV Fall 2017 Consider the following to be an ongoing assignment: PRACTICE - LISTEN - RECORD yourself whenever possible. Week 1: Tues. Aug. 29 - Course Introduction - Overview of syllabus & schedule - Q & A Homework: Tune #1 - Black Nile Write a lead sheet by ear from the Wayne Shorter recording (Night Dreamer). Thurs. Aug. 31 - Analyze & play Black Nile. *Assignment - Transcribe 2 choruses of one of the solos from the recording. Drummers write a solo on form. Week 2: Tues. Sept. 5 - Play Black Nile. Be prepared to play and turn in transcriptions. Discussion: Outlining & Chromaticism Homework: Memorize tune #1. *Assignment - Write a contrafact on the changes of Black Nile. Thurs. Sept. 7 - Play tune Black Nile from memory. Turn in assignment. Week 3: Tues. Sept.12 - Play tune Black Nile in class for grade - videotaped in class. - Drummers 8s, 4s & solo on form - Homework: Tune #2 - Fee Fi Fo Fum Write a lead sheet by ear from the Wayne Shorter recording (Speak No Evil). Listen to your performance of Black Nile and fill out the self-evaluation form. Thurs. Sept. 14 - Analyze & Fee Fi.. Turn in Black Nile *self-evaluation. *Assignment - Write a one chorus solo on the changes of Fee Fi Fo Fum. Week 4: Tues. Sept. 19 - Play tune #2. Turn in assignment. Discussion: Space & Phrasing Homework: Memorize Fee Fi Fo Fum". Week 5: Thurs. Sept. 21 - Play Fee Fi Fo Fum from memory.
Tues. Sept. 26 - Play Fee Fi Fo Fum in class for grade - videotaped in class. Turn in assignment. - Drummers solo on form - Homework: Tune #3 - Falling Grace Write a lead sheet. Choose from recordings by one of these: (Bill Evans-Pat Metheny-Lyle Mays & Gary Burton.or?) Listen to your performance and fill out the Fee Fi Fo Fum self-evaluation form. Thurs. Sept. 28 - Analyze & play Falling Grace. Turn in Fee Fi Fo Fum *self-evaluation. *Assignment - Write a one chorus solo on the changes of Falling Grace. Week 6: Tues. Oct. 3 - Play Tune Falling Grace. Perform solos. Discussion: Motifs Homework: Memorize Falling Grace. Thurs. Oct. 5 - Play Falling Grace from memory. Discussion: Intervals Week 7: Tues. Oct. 10 - Play Falling Grace in class for grade - videotaped in class. - Drummers graded on interaction with and support of soloist - *Assignment Tune #4 - Original Composition - Compose an original tune. -Listen to your performance and fill out the Falling Grace self-evaluation form. -Practice your original, provide charts for your ensemble, and prepare to perform it during the next two classes. Thurs. Oct. 12 - Play original compositions in class. Turn in tune Falling Grace *selfevaluation. Week 8: Tues. Oct. 17 - Play original compositions in class. Homework: Tune #5 - You Don t Know What Love Is - -Write a lead sheet. -Listen to the John Coltrane Ballads recording, and the Kenny Baron s live recording on YouTube. Thurs. Oct. 19 - Analyze & play You Don t Know What Love Is. Ballads discussion. *Assignment - Transcribe either Kenny Baron s solo (YouTube - Kenny Baron - You Don t Know ) John Coltrane s solo, Sonny Rollins solo, or a recording of your choice. One chorus. Week 9: Tues. Oct. 24 - Play You Don t Know. Turn in solo transcription. Homework: Memorize tune. Thurs. Oct. 26 - Play You Don t Know.. from memory. Week 10:
Tues. Oct. 31 - Play You Don t Know in class for grade - videotaped in class. - Drummers graded on interaction with and support of soloist - Homework: Tune #6 - Lazy Bird Write a lead sheet by ear from the John Coltrane recording. Listen to your performance of You Don t Know What Love Is and fill out the self-evaluation form. Thurs. Nov. 2 - Analyze & play Lazy Bird. Turn in You Don t Know *self-evaluation. *Assignment - To be turned in: Compose a one chorus solo on the changes of Lazy Bird. Week 11: Tues. Nov. 7 - Perform Lazy Bird solos. Week 12: Thurs. Nov. 9 - Play Lazy Bird in class for grade - videotaped in class. - Drummers 8s, 4s & solo on form - Tues. Nov. 14 - Play all 5 tunes. Homework: Listen to your performance of tune Lazy Bird and fill out the self-evaluation form. Week 13 Thurs. Nov. 16 - Play all 5 tunes. Turn in Lazy Bird *self-evaluation. Tues. Nov. 21 - Final playing evaluations for grade. Note: Tunes will be selected at random from the 5 tunes studied - (excluding the original composition). Videotaped. Week 14 Week 15 Thurs. 23 - Thanksgiving Tues. Nov. 28 - Final playing evaluations cont. Thurs. Nov. 30 - FIPE Practice Tues. Dec. 5 - FIPE Practice Thurs. Dec. 7 - FIPE Practice Grading: 7 Assignments @ 5% each = 35% 5 Playing Evaluations @ 6% = 30% Final Playing Evaluation @ 35% Total possible = 100% MUJS 3370 - Advanced Improv IV Fall 2017 Consider the following to be an ongoing assignment:
PRACTICE - LISTEN - RECORD yourself whenever possible. Week 1: Tues. Aug. 29 - Course Introduction - Overview of syllabus & schedule - Q & A Homework: Tune #1 - Black Nile Write a lead sheet by ear from the Wayne Shorter recording (Night Dreamer). Thurs. Aug. 31 - Analyze & play Black Nile. *Assignment - Transcribe 2 choruses of one of the solos from the recording. Drummers write a solo on form. Week 2: Tues. Sept. 5 - Play Black Nile. Be prepared to play and turn in transcriptions. Discussion: Outlining & Chromaticism Homework: Memorize tune #1. *Assignment - Write a contrafact on the changes of Black Nile. Thurs. Sept. 7 - Play tune Black Nile from memory. Turn in assignment. Week 3: Tues. Sept.12 - Play tune Black Nile in class for grade - videotaped in class. - Drummers 8s, 4s & solo on form - Homework: Tune #2 - Fee Fi Fo Fum Write a lead sheet by ear from the Wayne Shorter recording (Speak No Evil). Listen to your performance of Black Nile and fill out the self-evaluation form. Thurs. Sept. 14 - Analyze & Fee Fi.. Turn in Black Nile *self-evaluation. *Assignment - Write a one chorus solo on the changes of Fee Fi Fo Fum. Week 4: Tues. Sept. 19 - Play tune #2. Turn in assignment. Discussion: Space & Phrasing Homework: Memorize Fee Fi Fo Fum". Thurs. Sept. 21 - Play Fee Fi Fo Fum from memory. Week 5: Tues. Sept. 26 - Play Fee Fi Fo Fum in class for grade - videotaped in class. Turn in assignment. - Drummers solo on form - Homework: Tune #3 - Falling Grace Write a lead sheet. Choose from recordings by one of these: (Bill Evans-Pat Metheny-Lyle Mays & Gary Burton.or?)
Listen to your performance and fill out the Fee Fi Fo Fum self-evaluation form. Thurs. Sept. 28 - Analyze & play Falling Grace. Turn in Fee Fi Fo Fum *self-evaluation. *Assignment - Write a one chorus solo on the changes of Falling Grace. Week 6: Tues. Oct. 3 - Play Tune Falling Grace. Perform solos. Discussion: Motifs Homework: Memorize Falling Grace. Thurs. Oct. 5 - Play Falling Grace from memory. Discussion: Intervals Week 7: Tues. Oct. 10 - Play Falling Grace in class for grade - videotaped in class. - Drummers graded on interaction with and support of soloist - *Assignment Tune #4 - Original Composition - Compose an original tune. -Listen to your performance and fill out the Falling Grace self-evaluation form. -Practice your original, provide charts for your ensemble, and prepare to perform it during the next two classes. Thurs. Oct. 12 - Play original compositions in class. Turn in tune Falling Grace *selfevaluation. Week 8: Tues. Oct. 17 - Play original compositions in class. Homework: Tune #5 - You Don t Know What Love Is - -Write a lead sheet. -Listen to the John Coltrane Ballads recording, and the Kenny Baron s live recording on YouTube. Thurs. Oct. 19 - Analyze & play You Don t Know What Love Is. Ballads discussion. *Assignment - Transcribe either Kenny Baron s solo (YouTube - Kenny Baron - You Don t Know ) John Coltrane s solo, Sonny Rollins solo, or a recording of your choice. One chorus. Week 9: Tues. Oct. 24 - Play You Don t Know. Turn in solo transcription. Homework: Memorize tune. Thurs. Oct. 26 - Play You Don t Know.. from memory. Week 10: Tues. Oct. 31 - Play You Don t Know in class for grade - videotaped in class. - Drummers graded on interaction with and support of soloist - Homework: Tune #6 - Lazy Bird Write a lead sheet by ear from the John Coltrane recording. Listen to your performance of You Don t Know What Love Is and fill out the self-evaluation form.
Thurs. Nov. 2 - Analyze & play Lazy Bird. Turn in You Don t Know *self-evaluation. *Assignment - To be turned in: Compose a one chorus solo on the changes of Lazy Bird. Week 11: Tues. Nov. 7 - Perform Lazy Bird solos. Week 12: Thurs. Nov. 9 - Play Lazy Bird in class for grade - videotaped in class. - Drummers 8s, 4s & solo on form - Tues. Nov. 14 - Play all 5 tunes. Homework: Listen to your performance of tune Lazy Bird and fill out the self-evaluation form. Week 13 Thurs. Nov. 16 - Play all 5 tunes. Turn in Lazy Bird *self-evaluation. Tues. Nov. 21 - Final playing evaluations for grade. Note: Tunes will be selected at random from the 5 tunes studied - (excluding the original composition). Videotaped. Week 14 Week 15 Thurs. 23 - Thanksgiving Tues. Nov. 28 - Final playing evaluations cont. Thurs. Nov. 30 - FIPE Practice Tues. Dec. 5 - FIPE Practice Thurs. Dec. 7 - FIPE Practice Grading: 7 Assignments @ 5% each = 35% 5 Playing Evaluations @ 6% = 30% Final Playing Evaluation @ 35% Total possible = 100%
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