School of Music
P.O. Box 26170
UNC Greensboro
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
(336) 334-5789 OFFICE
(336) 334-5497 FAX

e-mail: music@uncg.edu

Principles of Jazz Theory

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Current Syllabi for Jazz Courses can be found on the UNCG Blackboard Course Managment System

MILES DAVIS PROGRAM IN JAZZ STUDIES
MUS 103-01: Principles of Jazz Theory

Steve Haines, School of Music #336
256-0105
sjhaines@uncg.edu
Office Hours: M-F 1:00-1:50 pm

MUS 103 meets from 2:00-2:50 Tuesdays in room 221 and 2:00-2:50 pm with Arthur White in room 323 (individual times will be scheduled during the first week of classes)

INTRODUCTION

The Principles of Jazz Theory is a two-credit hour course that establishes a foundation of knowledge for the study of jazz improvisation and composition, stressing jazz nomenclature, chord/scale analysis, basic chord substitution, and voice leading. This class is designed for the student pursuing a major in Jazz Studies.

PREREQUISITES

MUS 101, Theory I: Fundamentals of Music
MUS 105-01 Ear Training I

ATTENDANCE

A maximum of two unexcused absences will be allowed. Excessive absences will result in a lowered semester grade, or a 'WF', at the discretion of the instructor.

GRADING

Grading will be comprised of assignments, tests, and the Jazz Theory Performance Test. There is no final exam. Assignments are due the following Tuesday after they are assigned. Each day an assignment is late, one letter grade will be deducted from the overall mark.

Assignments (six assignments @ 5 points each) 30%

Assignment #1: Jazz note style and font
Assignment #2: Intervals.
Assignment #3: Basic chord construction: major, minor,
dominant, half-diminished, diminished
Assignment #4: Extensions found in major, minor,
half-diminished chords
Assignment #5: Extensions found in dominant chords
Assignment #6: Jazz nomenclature

Tests

Test #1: intervals, basic chord construction 15%
Test #2: extensions, jazz nomenclature 15%
Test#3: cumulative 20%

Jazz Theory Performance Test 20%

This test promotes the jazz major to Jazz Performance Studies MUS 253. Students MUST pass this test to continue in jazz studies.

Dorian, bebop, harmonic minor and jazz minor scales through the cycle; played in eighth notes where a quarter note equals 100; two octaves, and applied scales over ii-V-I's.

STUDENT GOALS

Each student will be expected to:

• demonstrate familiarity with jazz nomenclature

• understand the relationships between chords and their corresponding scales

• ascertain the 'harmonic roadmap' of jazz standards

• apply aspects of what they have learned on their instrument

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE

Each student is required to sign the Academic Integrity Policy for all major work submitted for the course.

OPTIONAL TEXT

The Jazz Language, by Dan Haerle (Warner Bros, 1980)

REQUIRED TEXT

The Jazz Theory Workbook, by Mark Levine (Sher, 1995).

MATERIALS

Staff paper, pencils, pens, notebook.

LABS

Labs are designed for the students to apply aspects of the theoretical knowledge they have attained during lecture. These weekly labs prepare the student for the Jazz Theory Performance Test. Specifically, they will be expected to play the Dorian, Bebop, Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor Scales. Note: Drummers must demonstrate these skills on vibraphone.

TOPICAL OUTLINE: Thursday Labs. Room 323, unless otherwise noted.

January 15: bebop scales

January 22: bebop scales, through the cycle; two octaves

January 29: bebop scales- applied to ii-V-I's (room 221)

February 5: bebop scales- applied to ii-V-I's (room 221)

February 12: dorian scales

February 19: dorian scales, through the cycle, two octaves

February 26: no labs this week

March 4: harmonic minor scale

March 11: Spring Break

March 18: harmonic minor scale, through the cycle; two octaves

March 25: harmonic minor scales- applied to minor ii-V-I's (room 221)

April 1: harmonic minor scales- applied to minor ii-V-I's (room 221)

April 8: ascending melodic minor scales ("jazz minor")

April 15: jazz minor scales

April 22: jazz minor scales, through the cycle, two octaves

April 29: Jazz Theory Performance Test. Room 336.

TOPICAL OUTLINE: Lectures

Week 1: Tuesday, January 13: Syllabus, note style and font, major ii-V-I's

Week 2: Tuesday: January 20: Intervals
Assignment #1 due: jazz note style and font

Week 3: Tuesday, January 27: Basic chord construction
Assignment #2 due: intervals

Week 4: Tuesday February 3: Extensions on major and minor chords
Assignment #3 due: basic chord construction.

Week 5: Tuesday, February 10: (Test review) extensions on dominant chords
Assignment #4 due: extensions on major and minor chords

Week 6: Tuesday, February 17: Test I: intervals, basic chord construction,
major and minor extensions

Week 7: Tuesday, February 24: extensions on dominant chords

Week 8: Tuesday, March 2: diminished and half diminished extensions
Assignment #5 due: extensions on dominant chords

March 8-15: Spring Break

Week 9: Tuesday, March 16: minor ii-V-I's, Secondary Dominants, tritone
substitution

Week 10: Tuesday, March 23: Chord substitution, Roman numerals

Week 11: Tuesday, March 30: Test two: extensions, jazz nomenclature, chord
substitutions

Week 12: Tuesday, April 6: Roman Numerals

Week 13: Tuesday, April 13: tune analyses
Assignment #6 due: roman numerals; jazz nomenclature

Week 14: Tuesday April 20: tune analyses, review for Test III

Week 15: Tuesday, April 27: Test III, in class.

Week 16: No classes (last day of class, May 4, is a Friday schedule)