Music 323
Jazz Theory
Fall Semester, 2012
Instructor: John ZappaOffice Phone: (859)572-5885
Email: ffice: FA 361
Office Hours: By appointment
Course Meetings:
T, TR
Course Objectives:
Students will become familiar with the various aspects of jazz theory by studying the application of theory in jazz repertoire and the improvisation of jazz masters. Over the course of the semester, student will:
- Learn chord extensions, voice leading, form and scale modes.
- Learn common chord progressions including turn arounds and ii7-V7 permutations.
- Exotic scale harmonies, modes of minor and corresponding chord structures.
- Reharmonizations, slash chords, extension based chord substitutions and upper structure triads.
Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course students will:
- Identify acceptable and useful chord substitutions, extensions, and progressions.
- Acquire tools to further exploration in composition, arrangement, and improvisation
- Be equipped for further course study in arranging, improvisation, and styles and analysis.
Required Texts:
Levine, Mark-The Jazz Theory Book- ISBN 1883217040
Supplies:
Bring book and workbook to class every day (unless otherwise indicated), along with manuscript paper and pencils. There are several Internet sites where you can print out manuscript paper for free, such as
Additional materials will periodically be distributed in class and posted on the course website.
Prerequisites:
Appropriate score on theory placement test, or completion of Music 123 with a grade of C or higher, or through special permission.
Attendance Policy (revised Fall 2010):
The pace of this course is necessarily fast; missing a single class can potentially be devastating to your understanding of the material! Therefore, each absence in excess of two absences for the semester may result in a reduction of one-third of a letter grade (e.g., A- to B+). If you are absent due to a university-sponsored event or other approved absence, you must complete and turn in any work in advance. All other absences must be discussed with me to be considered for excusal, preferably in advance of the absence, if possible.
Late arrivals will count cumulatively in five-minute increments (rounded up); thirty (30) will count as an absence. For example, if a student is 15 minutes late twice, this adds up to 30-minutes, and thus counts as an absence.
Assessment:
Final exam@200 points=200
Midterm exam@150 points=150
4 quizzes@50 points each= 200
1 composition assignment@150 points=150
Assignments/in-class work200 points=200
TOTAL900
840-900 points= A
810-839 points=A-
780-809 points=B+
750-779 points= B
720-749 points=B-
690-719 points=C+
660-689 points=C
630-659 points=C-
600-629 points=D+
570-599 points= D
0-569 points=F
An unexcused absence from any quiz or exam will result in a grade of zero for that exam.
Extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis and may require a doctor’s note.
Assignments/quizzes:
This category will include:
- Written exercises completed in class
- Homework assignments.
- Short unannounced pop quizzes at the beginning of class (these may not be made up in the case of an unexcused absence)
Academic Integrity:
“This Student Honor Code is a commitment by students of Northern Kentucky University, through their matriculation or continued enrollment at the University, to adhere to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct. It is a commitment individually and collectively that the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements.”
Violations of this policy on an assignment or exam will result in a 0, and a discussion possibly resulting in expulsion from the course. (Please reference Section B.2 of the Student Honor Code.)
Disability Policy:
Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services) for this course must register with the Disability Services Office. Please contact the Disability Service Office immediately in the University Center, Suite 320 or call (859)572-6373 for more information. Verification of your disability is required in the Disability Services Office for you to receive reasonable academic accommodations.
Online course evaluations:
Northern Kentucky University takes Instructor and Course Evaluations very seriously as an important means of gathering information for the enhancement of learning opportunities for its students. It is an important responsibility of NKU students as citizens of the University to participate in the instructor and course evaluation process. During the weeks prior to the end of each class, you will be asked to reflect upon what you have learned in this course, the extent to which you have invested the necessary effort to maximize your learning, and the role your instructor has played in the learning process. It is very important that you complete the online evaluations with thoughtfully written comments.
Student evaluations of courses and instructors are regarded as strictly confidential. They are not available to the instructor until after final grades are submitted, and extensive precautions are taken to prevent your comments from being identified as coming from you. Starting Spring semester 2011, the students who complete an evaluation for a particular course (or opt out of doing so in the evaluation) will be rewarded for their participation by having access to their course grade as soon as that grade is submitted by the instructor. On the other hand, any student who does not complete the course evaluation (or opt out of doing so in the evaluation) should expect to incur a two week delay in access to his or her course grade beyond the university's official date for grade availability.
To complete online evaluations go to Click on "student login" and use the same
USERNAME and PASSWORD as used on campus.
In addition, you should be aware of:
* Evaluations can affect changes in courses. Evaluations without comments are less valuable and less credible
than those filled out thoughtfully. Comments that are expressed well are more effective than those that are not.
* Positive feedback is just as important as criticism. Moreover, negative evaluations without any explanation
and specifics are not especially useful.
* Once grades are submitted, all evaluations are read not only by the instructor, but also by the instructor’s
department chairperson.
* Evaluations not only provide feedback to your instructor, but also provide information to the department chair
for use in performance evaluations. This information affects reappointments, promotions, salaries, and teaching assignments.
THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE WILL OF THE INSTRUCTOR
Course Overview
Week 1- chapter ONE
Basic Theory
Week 2- chapter TWO
II-V-I major progression
Week 3- chapter THREE
Chord/Scale relationships
Week 4- chapter THREE
Melodic Minor Scale Harmony
Week 5- chapter FIVE
Slash Chords
Week 6- chapter SIX
Scales based improvisation
Week 7- chapter SIX
Scales based improvisation continued
Week 8- chapter EIGHT
Approaching Improvisation with harmonic techniques
Week 9- chapter THIRTEEN
Basic Reharmonization
Week 10- chapter THIRTEEN
Basic Reharmonization continued
Week 11- chapter FOURTEEN
Advanced Reharmonization
Week 12- chapter FOURTEEN
Advanced Reharmonization continued
Week 13- chapter FIFTEEN
Turnarounds/Coltrane changes
Week 14- chapter SIXTEEN/SEVENTEEN
Reharmonizations, song form, composition
Week 15- chapter SIXTEEN/SEVENTEEN
Reharmonizations, song form, composition continued