Description:

This is an entry-level course for the student with little or no prior knowledge of the American art form of jazz music. Through reading and listening, the student will learn the basic structure of the elements of music and how these are organized to create jazz. Topics to be covered will include rhythm, harmony, and form; Dixieland style; swing style; bop; and contemporary jazz. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a written and aural knowledge of the terms common to Jazz style including: a) Rhythm, b) Harmony, c) Form, d) Improvisation
2. Identify the structure and organization of each of the elements from number 1 above in each of the major stylistic periods of American Jazz: a) Dixieland, b) Swing, c) Bop, d) Contemporary

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Rhythm
   A. Compose a written definition of duple, triple and quadruple meter.
   B. By listening only, physically tap the pulse of music either with the
foot or hand.
   C. After identifying the basic pulse of taping, orally organize the
pulses into meter and identify the down beat of each measure.
   D. Compose a written log that will track the changes in rhythm that
occur in each style period.
   E. Orally explain the changes noted in the log from above in an
individual session with the instructor.

II. Harmony
   A. Define orally and in written form the structure of tercial harmony.
   B. Diagram using musical notation the triads built on each degree of a
major scale.
   C. Label the triads with the proper Roman numeral symbols.
   D. Explain orally the basic I -IV-II-V- I chordal progression.
   E. Identify aurally the basic chordal progression from above in both a
Blues form and 32 bar song form.

III. Form
   A. Identify by reading musical notation and aurally a basic 12 bar
blues form.
   B. Identify by reading musical notation and aurally a basic 32 bar
blues form.
   C. Compose an original melody and text set to a 12 bar blues form.
   D. Perform the text above with a Blues play-along recording before the
class.

IV. Improvisation
   A. Compose a written definition of improvisation.
   B. Identify aurally improvisation and describe the range and contour of
the improvisation.
   C. Choose two major Jazz artists and identify, compare and contrast
their individual improvisational styles in the form of a written log.
   D. Graph the improvisation of at least one major artist from each style
period as directed by the instructor.

V. Style Identification
   A. Dixieland
      1. Identify aurally the rhythmic characteristics.
      2. Explain the structure of the harmony.
      3. Identify aurally the basic form.
      4. Identify in written form the improvisational style of Louis
Armstrong.
   B. Swing
      1. Identify aurally the rhythmic characteristics.
      2. Explain the structure of the harmony.
      3. Identify aurally the basic form.
      4. Compare and contrast the improvisational style of Dixieland and
Swing in the form of a written log.
   C. Bop
      1. Identify aurally the rhythmic characteristics.
      2. Explain the structure of the harmony.
      3. Identify aurally the basic form.
      4. Compare and contrast the improvisational style of Dixieland,
Swing and Bop in the form of a written log.
   D. Contemporary
      1. Identify aurally the rhythmic characteristics.
      2. Explain the structure of the harmony.
      3. Identify aurally the basic form.
      4. Compare and contrast the improvisational style of Dixieland,
Swing, Bop and Contemporary in the form of a written log.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1. Written Exam: rhythm, harmony, form and improvisation - 30% of
grade.
2. Listening Exam: cover same areas as above - 35% of grade.
3. Aural identification of Dixieland, Swing, Bop and Contemporary - 35% of
grade.

Grading Criteria:

90 - 100%  = A
80 -  89%  = B
70 -  79%  = C
60 -  69%  = D
Below 60%  = F

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.