MUSJAZZ 3400A - Jazz Improvisation 3 Part 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

Further development of 'Standard' & 'Bop' material, in conjunction with Theory and third year Tunes List; modal styles: applications & exercises in pentatonics, altered pentatonics & fourths; solo development techniques, particularly application of tension/outside devices & methods; analysis of modal solos (eg Coltrane); contemporary jazz styles; contemporary & polychord harmonies; chord/scale relationships; rhythmic devices/techniques (eg cross-rhythms, metric modulation, etc); playing/improvising in unusual forms, time-signatures and harmonies. Principles and practice of "Free Jazz".

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Course Details

Course Code	MUSJAZZ 3400A
Course	Jazz Improvisation 3 Part 1
Coordinating Unit	Elder Conservatorium of Music
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Contact	Up to 2 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	MUSJAZZ 2400A/B
Incompatible	JAZZ 3005A/B
Restrictions	Available to Bachelor of Music students only
Assessment	ongoing assignments 40%; end of semester exams - written 20%, practical 40%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Mr Bruce Hancock

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Develop an advanced knowledge of contemporary jazz harmonic and melodic concepts.

2. Develop an advanced working knowledge and applied skills of tendencies and patterns in the jazz repertoire through investigative study continuing from bebop style studied in Level 2.

3. Develop advanced knowledge and applied skills in creative jazz soloing and group interplay

4. Develop advanced knowledge and applied skills in specific styles including bebop, post-bop, ballads, contemporary and free jazz styles.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1, 2, 3, 4
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1, 2
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	2, 3, 4
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	3, 4
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1, 2, 3, 4

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lecture and tutorial for Improvisation

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

In addition to the required contact hours, students are expected to study the materials presented and apply them to assignments, tunes list tunes and their playing in general.

It is anticipated that students will need to spend 3-4 hours per week in reviewing lecture notes, preparing for tutorials, listening to repertoire, preparing assignments and undertaking suggested readings.

Contact hours: Jazz Improvisation III:- 1 hour Lecture + 1 hour Tutorial.

Learning Activities Summary

Jazz Improvisation 3:

Lecture Content:

While standard improvisation concepts are explored in detail throughout the course, five fundamental improvisation principles provide a focal point for all lectures: simplicity, use of space, repetition, strong rhythm, and development of a lyrical melodic concept. Key concepts explored in the lectures include: Improvising in a riff-based style; development of fast playing approaches; personalisation and interpretation of the theme in ballads; chordally-based chromaticism (use of alternate II-V-I’s, Coltrane changes and other logical systems); bebop line synchronisation; analysis of harmony, melody, rhythm and melodic curve of tunes list material and application to improvisation; improvising in odd metres; intervallic improvisation; use of upper structure triads, pentatonics and altered pentatonics; motif development and motivic soloing ala Hal Crook, Sonny Rollins and Thelonius Monk; rhythm patterns as a foundation for improvisation; metric modulation concepts; rhythmic displacement (application); Non-tonal chromaticism; introduction to free jazz concepts via early Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Charles Mingus.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

ASSESSMENT (Summative)		Learning Outcomes Addressed
Written Exam:	There is a written exam and will include (among other others) melodic and harmonic analysis and will also include an aural component.	20%	1, 4
Practical Exam:	There is a practical exam and will include techniques used over tunes list tunes covered in class as well as extended solo choruses.	40%	1, 2, 3, 4
Ongoing Assessment:	Six equally weighted assignments in semester 1.	30%	1, 2, 3, 4
Ongoing Assessment:	The Lecturer will assess this based upon the student’s ability to understand, assimilate and execute concepts introduced in class.	10%	1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment Related Requirements

In this course, penalties apply for any absences which are not formally approved, as outlined in the Conservatorium’s Student Participation and Attendance Leave Guidelines (see following). Leave Application forms are available from the Music Office and can be downloaded from the Music website – see http://music.adelaide.edu.au/study/current/leave.pdf.

Student Participation and Attendance Leave Guidelines

EXPECTATION
All students enrolled in courses taught by the Elder Conservatorium of Music are expected to actively and positively participate in 100% of required rehearsals, workshops, classes, lectures, tutorials and performances. In courses where Participation & Attendance penalties apply (as defined in the Course Outline), any student who misses more than 40% of required classes will be ineligible for assessment in that course, irrespective of the amount of leave that has been formally approved.

LEAVE
The Conservatorium recognises that extenuating circumstances may occasionally affect a student’s ability to participate in a rehearsal, workshop, class, lecture, tutorial or performance. In such cases Leave may, upon application using this Leave form, be approved by the relevant staff member (this could be the Head of Studies, teacher, conductor, lecturer or course coordinator as appropriate).

Assessment Detail

There are six equally weighted assignments, a written exam including an aural component and a practical exam including techniques used over tunes list tunes.

Submission

Late assignment policy:
Extensions are only granted when supporting documentation can be provided and then, and only then, by arrangement with the course lecturer prior to the due date and time. Extensions will not be granted under any other circumstance. Assessed work that is submitted late (after the due date and time) will not be examined for assessment or feedback.
In the case of illness this will require a medical certificate, and in the case of personal (non-medical) circumstances you will need a letter of support from a University Student Counsellor. For further information please refer to the following website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/counselling_centre/

Students must be available during the identified University examination periods. Students are not entitled to sit an examination at another time, nor are they entitled to any other concessions if an examination conflicts with a planned vacation or special event.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

NOG (No Grade Associated)
Grade	Description
CN	Continuing

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator