MUS 164, 264, 364, 464 – Applied Jazz Piano
Required Materials:
Manuscript Paper
Fake Book
Jazz Keyboard Harmony – Phil DeGreg
Attendance:
Two unexcused absences are permitted, however beyond the 2nd unexcused absence each unexcused absence will lower the final semester grade by one letter. Excused absences should be cleared in advance if at all possible.
Rationale:
Jazz Piano is a course that guides students in exploring jazz piano styles from the early part of the 20th century to the present day. By the nature of its historical development, jazz keyboard harmony is a practical and theoretical course of study. Through in depth analysis of scales, chords and chord voicings, repertoire, and manuscripts and recordings of great jazz pianists, students will learn how to practice and perform solo and ensemble styles.
Skill Development:
During the first semester our focus will be on shell voicings and guide tones. Students will arrange and perform 4 jazz standard tunes. During the second semester, our focus will be on four-voice extensions, three-note rootless voicings, and five-voice shell extensions. Students will also identify and demonstrate chord drills, practice patterns, comping rhythms and phrasing, right-hand melodic patterns, and bass lines. Students will arrange 4 tunes for 1st semester with new techniques; same for 2nd semester.
Cultural Heritage and Social Aspects:
“Mainstream Jazz Harmony” refers to a harmonic language that
corresponds roughly with jazz piano practice originating in the
1940s and 1950s, and is still in constant use today. It is founded in tertian chord construction, with harmonies built on the basis of third intervals, rather than fourths and clusters. The understanding of tertian harmony is fundamental to the development of skillful voice leading in both playing and writing, and prepares a musician to intelligently assimilate more modern styles.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
A. Cognitions
Students should understand and recognize the elements of high level quality musical arranging and performance. Students should be able to comprehend the artistic statements and expressions the composer/arranger/improviser intends and communicate their own ideas and theories about the performance. Students should be able to explain the characteristics of quality musical performance and how the process of preparing for a performance will attain high quality. Students should be able to analytically compare arrangements, compositions, and performances with any and all
musical/artistic elements in mind.
B. Cognitive Skills:
Students should be able to aurally and visually analyze music and make observations in regards to its theoretical, historical, and cultural roots. Students should be able to develop ideas and generalizations that can be applied to these elements of music. Students should be able to evaluate the quality of an arrangement or performance based upon their own experiences and abilities. Students should be able to recognize and distinguish between music of various genres, time periods, and styles.
C. Psycho-motor
Students are expected to perform all exercises and tune arrangements at a steady without stopping. Repetition is the key performing something deeply. Students can only achieve good steady playing when they practice with a comfortable piano technique. Therefore, we will practice with correct hand position, actually touching the notes before playing. This will reinforce “hand memory” of the chord’s shape. When ready to play the chord, the student will lift their hands an inch or two and drop the full weight of their hands on the keys, going to the bottom of the key bed. At first the student will miss some notes, and that is O.K.; simply make the necessary corrections and continue with more repetitions, keeping that feeling of dropping. This will achieve a fuller sound, and the hands will learn the shape of the chords much more quickly and securely.
D. Affective
Through understanding of historical, theoretical, compositional,
technical, and cultural perspectives of music, students should be able to relate their own awareness with the performer’s experience.
Students should be able to express and imprint their own feelings and experiences on their music as well as others.
Content:
Shell Voicings
Guide Tones
Four Voice Shell Extensions
Three Note Rootless Voicings
Chord Voicing Drills
Comping Rhythms and Phrasing
Etudes and Imitative Arrangements
Transcriptions
Right Hand Melodic Patterns
Bass Lines
Arrange and Perform Standard Jazz Compositions in Solo and Ensemble Styles.
Work with Fake Book Tunes and Ensemble Parts
Perform in Jazz Piano Concert?
Evaluation:
Throughout the semester you will be required to perform a variety of harmonic and melodic patterns through a progression of cycles for the purpose of transposing everything you practice. Each measure of each exercise or piece is worth 1 point. You must be able to perform all material at a steady tempo without stopping to receive a perfect score. Each measure of each written arrangement by the student is also worth 1 point. Jazz jury grade counts for one letter grade towards final semester grade.
Mid-Term Grades:
In accordance with university policy all students who have successfully completed fewer than 30 semester hours will receive mid-term grades. Students will be able to access mid-term grades through Norse Express as soon as faculty submits the grades. These mid-term grades are not part of the student’s permanent records and will be replaced by final class grades at the end of the term. Mid-term grades do not guarantee a good or bad class grade; they reflect your current level of performance and can be altered by subsequent work.
Student Honor Code:
The work you will do in this course is subject to the Student Honor
Code. The Honor Code is a commitment to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct, a commitment that, individually and collectively, the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements.
Disability Disclosure:
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 DSO for you to receive reasonable academic
accommodation. Visit their website at
Phillip Burkhead
513-300-8369