MUS 26015 Jazz Vocal Ensemble
Performance of multi-voice arrangements in the jazz idiom, concluding with a final concert. In addition to the large ensemble, trios and quartets will be formed to give students the opportunity to sing one-on-a-part. Individual soloing and group improvisation will be explored.
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: Permission of the department
Offered: Spring only
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 27500 Jazz Piano I
Elementary techniques for playing piano in jazz style. Chord identifications, extended chords, techniques for accompanying with or without melody, standards and jazz tunes will be covered.
Credits: 2
Pre-requisites: 16300 or departmental permission
Co-requisites: 35700
Offered: Fall only
Contact Hours: 2 hr/wk
MUS 27600 Jazz Piano II
A continuation of Music 27500. Blues, altered dominant chords, stride style, harmonic complexities, standards and jazz tunes will be covered.
Credits: 2
Pre-requisites: MUS 27500
Co-requisites: MUS 35800
Offered: Spring only
Contact Hours: 2 hr/wk
MUS 28100 Jazz Ear Training I
This course will train jazz performance majors to develop the aural foundation needed to successfully navigate and process common melodic, harmonic and rhythmic elements. Utilizing numerous exercises including dictation and transcription this training will focus on identifying intervals, chord quality, scales, extensions and alterations, along with common rhythms and meters. Chord progression recognition training will focus on song-based function to be tied into the repertory and ensemble classes.
Credits: 2
Co-requisites: MUS 35700
Offered: Fall only
Contact Hours: 2 hr/wk
MUS 28200 Jazz Ear Training II
This course will train jazz performance majors to develop the aural foundation needed to successfully navigate and process common melodic, harmonic and rhythmic elements. Utilizing numerous exercises including dictation and transcription this training will focus on identifying intervals, chord quality, scales, extensions and alterations, along with common rhythms and meters. Chord progression recognition training will focus on song-based function to be tied into the repertory and ensemble classes. Â
Credits: 2
Pre-requisites: MUS 28100
Co-requisites: MUS 35800
Offered: Spring only
Contact Hours: 2 hr/wk
MUS 35700 Jazz Harmony I
This course introduces students to the basic tools used in functional harmony in major and minor keys. Roman numeral analysis is used to establish a thorough understanding of tonal centers. After an examination of diatonic chords and their functions, we will investigate basic chromaticism in the form of secondary dominants and tritone substitution, as well as intermediate concepts like diminished harmony. Chord-scale relationships and simple voicings enable students to further their understanding of extended harmony.
Credits: 3
Co-requisites: MUS 28100
Offered: Fall only
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 35800 Jazz Harmony II
This course introduces students to intermediate, harmonic techniques used in the jazz repertory. The concept of modal interchange establishes a connection to previous topics and expands the harmonic palette. A focus will also be placed on modulation types and their analysis in song forms commonly found in practical contexts. Rhythm changes and blues harmony complete the survey of frequently used principles in tonal harmony; extended dominants and constant structure progressions are introduced to generate even greater levels of chromaticism.
Credits: 3
Pre-requisites: MUS 35700, MUS 28100
Co-requisites: MUS 28200
Offered: Spring only
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 38100 Jazz Vocal Improvisation (3x)
This course provides students with fundamental concepts and language needed to improvise over chord progressions using the piano as our reference. Over three semesters we will:Â learn linear shapes that can be transposed to 12 keys and sung in tunes to connect the 7-3 of the ii-V-I in major and minor; embellish the basic linear shapes with chromatic approach language; transcribe and assimilate melodic ideas from recorded solos; and write and sing solos over standard and jazz tunes. Repeatable 3 times.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Departmental Permission
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 38100 Jazz Vocal Performance (4x)
A skills-based performance course devoted to learning important tunes from the standard and jazz repertory. The course includes in-class performance, lead sheet preparation, transposition, interpretation, phrasing, second-chorus improvisation, scat singing, arranging, and the development of skills in leading and interacting with a rhythm section. Repeatable 4 times.
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: Departmental Permission
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 35000 Studio Ensemble Singing (2x)
Exploration and application of non-jazz vocal styles; the art of background vocals; application of musicianship skills; studio and recording skills; and basic knowledge of sound systems for live performances. Includes lectures, application of musical concepts, performances, videotaping with self-critique, and a vocal session in a recording studio. May be taken twice.
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: Departmental Permission
Offered: Spring only
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 45700 Jazz Harmony III
This course introduces students to modal harmony in jazz. An examination of character chords and modal cadences connects topics from Jazz Harmony I and II to non-functional harmony. Furthermore, poly-chords, hybrid chords, and quartal voicings are investigated in the context of functional and non-functional harmony. A big portion of the course will examine several advanced reharmonization techniques in order to introduce a new perspective on topics discussed in jazz harmony.
Credits: 3
Pre-requisites: MUS 35800, MUS 28200
Offered: Fall only
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 33700 Fundamentals Of Jazz Composition
Composition and analysis of standard song forms as well as other standard compositional practices and forms idiomatic to jazz.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MUS 45700 and permission of the instructor.
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 34400 Jazz History I
From Its Origins to 1950
An examination of the roots of jazz and its stylistic evolution and major contributors up to 1950. Emphasis will be placed on detailed listening assignments, a 3500 word writing requirement and readings.
Credits: 3
Pre-requisites: MUS 10100 and ENGL 11000 or equivalent. Pre- or co-req.: MUS 21000 or equivalent.
Offered: Spring only
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 34500 Jazz History II
From 1950 To The Present
An examination of the trends in jazz and its major contributors since 1950. Emphasis will be placed on detailed listening assignments, a 3500 word writing requirement and readings.
Credits: 3
MUS 10100 and ENGL 11000 or equivalent. Pre- or co-req.: MUS 21000 or equivalent.
Offered: Fall only
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 45200 Jazz Arranging I
Basic principles of chord voicing; voicing extended chords. Ranges, transpositions, and instrumental characteristics of the instruments of the standard jazz big band. Chord substitution. Arranging for the small jazz ensemble, from two to five horns with rhythm section. Arranging standard songs.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MUS 35800 and MUS 27600
Contact Hours: 3 hr/wk
MUS 42500 Special Topics In Jazz
In-depth examination of the music of a specific jazz artist, ensemble, style or genre from the perspective of historical, analytical and performance studies. Topics vary on a rotating basis as determined by the jazz faculty.
Credits: 1
Prerequisites: MUS 35800, MUS 34400, or MUS 34500
Contact hours: 1 hr/wk
MUS 49001 Private Instruction
6 Semesters
Students study privately on their instrument/voice with a full-time faculty member or an accomplished artist/teacher from the New York jazz community, selected by agreement of the student and advisor. May be taken 8 times for up to 8 credits total.
Credits: 1
Contact hours: 1 hr/wk
MUS 47000 Senior Recital
A one-hour recital of repertoire or original compositions performed at the university in the final semester. The program will be chosen in consultation with the jazz faculty and private instructor and represents the culmination of the student’s undergraduate work. Recital coaching and mentoring sessions held weekly throughout the semester.
Credits: 2
Pre-requisites: Departmental Permission
Contact Hours: 2 hr/wk