Courses
Jazz Seminar is a course designed to cover general performance practices, topics, repertoire and varying styles within the genre.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.
Jazz Seminar is a course designed to cover general performance practices, topics, repertoire and varying styles within the genre.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.
Designed to establish and reinforce the fundaments of chord scales, harmonic and melodic functions, ear-training, and writing standard forms in jazz. The course also explores basic jazz theory lingo, terms, and nomenclature, as well as transcription, basic reharmonization techniques, and a brief introduction to composition devices of the 20th century. Prepares students for Jazz Improvisation 1 (570.561) and Jazz Keyboard Studies (570.259-260).
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.
Distribution Area: P, Y
The second part of Jazz Th. Fund. focuses extensively on analysis and composition of standard and through-composed forms using concepts studied in the 1stpart of the course. It also studies the application of 20th century composition devises, as well as basic re-harmonization techniques, modal writing, and an introduction to standard voicings. Prepares students for Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Theory/Keyboard Lab, Arranging.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.;Completion of Jazz Theory Fundamentals 1 required, PY.570.127[C].
Distribution Area: P, Y
The introduction of the fundamental grammar, vocabulary, and structure of the jazz idiom through the study of its notational conventions, melodic and harmonic functions, and their application on the piano. Prerequisites: Jazz Fundamentals (570.127–128) or placement by instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.
Distribution Area: P, Y
The introduction of the fundamental grammar, vocabulary, and structure of the jazz idiomthrough the study of its notational conventions, melodic and harmonic functions, and theirapplication on the piano. Prerequisites: Jazz Fundamentals (570.127–128) or placement byinstructor
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.;Completion of Jazz Keyboard Studies 1 required, PY.570.259[C].
Distribution Area: P, Y
A continuation of the techniques and harmonic concepts studied in Jazz Keyboard Studies 1-2. Prerequisites: Jazz Fundamentals (570.127–128) or placement by instructor
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.
Distribution Area: P, Y
A continuation of the techniques and harmonic concepts studied in Jazz Keyboard Studies 1-2. Prerequisites: Jazz Fundamentals (570.127–128) or placement by instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.;Completion of Advanced Jazz Harmony 1 required, PY.570.359[C].
Distribution Area: P, Y
A beginning study of the language, techniques, and disciplines employed in arranging music for various jazz ensembles, including orchestration, notation, rhythmic embellishment, melodic ornamentation, chord substitution, and harmonization techniques. . Prerequisites: Jazz Fundamentals (570.127–128) or placement by instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.
Distribution Area: P, Y
A beginning study of the language, techniques, and disciplines employed in arrangingmusic for various jazz ensembles, including orchestration, notation, rhythmic embellishment,melodic ornamentation, chord substitution, and harmonization techniques. . Prerequisites:Jazz Fundamentals (570.127–128) or placement by instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.;Completion of Jazz Arranging 1 required, PY.570.361[C].
Distribution Area: P, Y
"Sight Reading" is a jazz course that is aimed to help the student better their sight reading, starting at the beginner level and working up to advanced material. Students will read jazz transcriptions from, along with the actual recording to play towards, jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderly, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. Upon completion of this course, students will have a better grasp on sight reading material at a much rapid pace."
A performance/workshop class designed to encourage musical creativity and provide studentswith techniques and strategies for musical improvisation within a collaborative,supportive, and structured environment. The class will include instruction in many aspectsof improvisation and regular audio and video examples of improvisational music will beused to expose students to the variety of ways in which creative musicians are using improvisation in our rapidly changing musical landscape. The majority of student’s time willbe spent playing for each other to build confidence and gain knowledge through personalexperience.
Distribution Area: P, Y
Practical approaches to composition for jazz forces in the jazz idiom, with an emphasis on analysis of standards and projects for small forces.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.
Distribution Area: P, Y
Analysis of advanced jazz repertoire with an emphasis on the techniques and practices required for longer compositional projects.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of Jazz Composition 1 required, PY.570.459[C].
Distribution Area: P, Y
This is a hands-on course open to all majors. Studies part of the extensive repertoire and vocabulary performed by drumming ensembles of Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, among others. It also introduces participants to hand-drumming techniques, as well as historical contexts of Afro-Diasporic music in the continent and the application of these languages in contemporary music.
Distribution Area: P, Y
Prerequisite(s): Afro-Diasporic Percussion 1 (PY.570.495) is a pre-requisite requirement.
A performance/theory course designed to help students acquire and develop basic language for improvisation through the practical application of information learned in 720 • 127-128 Jazz Fundamentals: chords, scales/modes, melody, rhythm, patterns, harmonic progression, and song forms. Incorporates the performance and examination of several vehicle types, including songs drawn from standard jazz repertoire. Special emphasis will be devoted to the performance and analysis of various improvised solos by master musicians. In addition, development of technical facility, listening/hearing skills, sound, and musical awareness will be addressed. Prerequisites: 570.127-128 Jazz Fundamentals and 570.570 Jazz History or placement by the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.
Distribution Area: P, Y
A performance/theory course designed to help students acquire and develop basic languagefor improvisation through the practical application of information learned in Jazz Fundamentals(720.127–128). Incorporates the performance and examination of several vehicletypes, including songs drawn from standard jazz repertoire. Special emphasis is devoted tothe performance and analysis of various improvised solos by master musicians. In addition,development of technical facility, listening/hearing skills, sound, and musical awarenesswill be addressed. Open to majors only. Prerequisites: Jazz Fundamentals (570.127–128)and Jazz History (570.570) or placement by instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.;Completion of Jazz Improvisation 1 required, PY.570.561[C].
Distribution Area: P, Y
The continued development of knowledge and skills acquired in Jazz Improvisation I with emphasis on increased fluency and mastery. Prerequisite: Jazz Improvisation 2 or placement by the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.;Completion of Jazz Improvisation 2 required, PY.570.562[C].
Distribution Area: P, Y
The continued development of knowledge and skills acquired in Jazz Improvisation I withemphasis on increased fluency and mastery. Open to majors only. Prerequisite: Jazz Improvisation 1-2 (530.561–562) or placement by instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Open to Jazz majors only.;Completion of Jazz Improvisation 3 required, PY.570.563[C]
Distribution Area: P, Y
This course covers two main areas of focus: people and methods. It surveys the chronological origins and proliferation of jazz through various styles and artists. The development of jazz as an art form will be traced from the acculturation of Africans in America to the present day by learning about its major instrumentalists, ensembles, composers, arrangers, innovators, revivalists, and revisionists. It also explores the techniques and processes that have been employed by jazz musicians to help make it into the highly structured and evolved art form that it is today. Students will read a wide array of primary and secondary sources and listen to a range of recordings — all with the goal of discovering the various processes, meanings, functions, and experiences of jazz. This class places a strong emphasis on developing listening skills.
Distribution Area: P, Y
This course has two main areas of focus: 1) The People—a survey of the chronological history of jazz through the use of texts, recordings, videos, and guest lecturers. The development of jazz as an art form will be traced from the acculturation of Africans in America to the present day by learning about its major instrumentalists, ensembles, composers, arrangers, innovators, revivalists, and revisionists. 2) The Methods—a survey of the techniques and processes that have been employed by jazz musicians to help make it into the highly structured and evolved art form that it is today. Students will have experience with first-hand performance, arranging, and composing, along with lectures, demonstrations, and extensive discussion.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of Jazz Analysis/History 1 required, PY.570.569[C].
Distribution Area: P, Y
The graduate composition course will survey classic and contemporary composers' style, use of form, development, and arranging techniques. Students will compose new music ranging from lead sheets, to arranged/orchestrated works for small to large instrumentations.
The graduate composition course will survey classic and contemporary composers' style, use of form, development, and arranging techniques. Students will compose new music ranging from lead sheets, to arranged/orchestrated works for small to large instrumentations.
There are many specific skills required to be an effective rhythm section player. From comping in various styles to accompanying vocalists, members of the rhythm section need to be able to adapt to any style and communicate specific harmonic, rhythmic and melodic elements in order to make the music come to life. This course will cover a wide range of rhythm section techniques, covered by various members of the jazz faculty over two semesters.
Prerequisite(s): This course is open to Jazz majors only.
This course surveys and analyses the connections of African, European, and Indigenous music cultures found among major genres of the Americas and the Caribbean. Students will be able to discuss, transcribe, and workshop rhythmic and music-theoretical components during each session.
This course is designed to introduce students to the history and rich cultural contexts of the Mid-Atlantic states inclusive of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia. The course will delve into the rich tapestry of Jazz music's history in the Mid-Atlantic United States as a weekly course. The student will explore the profound impact of the African American contribution from where this unique art form was developed. Jazz, while recognized globally for its cultural significance rooted in the American experience, serves as America's gift to world culture.