Jazz Theory 1

Common Chords, Scales, Rhythms and the Blues Form and Rhythm Changes (middle school - adults; 4 units)

 

Prerequisite

Knowledge of most major scales, good reading ability and a love of practicing! Anybody who really wants to, can play jazz, it’s not that hard.  But it does take regular, focused practice and regular listening of this great American art form!

Course Description

This full-year course introduces the foundational elements of jazz music and explores some of the more common techniques and structures. The second semester is devoted to absorbing, analyzing and writing new examples of what has always been (and remains) jazz's most widely played format: The Blues. By the end of the year students will be introduced to the next most widely played form – Rhythm Changes. The class is performance oriented. Students play all theoretical concepts introduced in the class on their instrument. Vocalists are expected to play everything on piano and sing everything they play.

 

Topics Covered

Theory:

Triads, 7th , 9th, 11th, and 13th chords

All of the modes of the Major scale (Ionian, dorian, phrigian, Lydian, mixolydian, Aeolian, and locrean modes)

Pentatonic scales

Major and Minor Diatonic triads and 7th chords

Common chord progressions 2,5,1, circle of 5ths, early blues progression 

Melodic and Harmonic analysis

Blues Scales

Tri-tones (flat-fives/sharp-elevens)

Improvisation:

Rhythmic improvisation

Concepts (7 steps) for improvising over chord changes

Improvising over one chord / scale at a time through the circle of 5ths

Improvising over simple harmonic progressions

Improvise over ii, V, I in whole steps

Start improvising over the blues form

Playing ii, V, I progressions with tri-tone substitutions

Analyzing the historical development of various harmonic substitutions

Modified Blues tunes

 

Text

There is no text required for this course. Students are required to have a 3 ring binder for note taking and to store handouts.

 

Homework

Homework consists of daily practicing of theoretical concepts so that they can readily be performed. The class content is cumulative – new skills are built on previous skills.

Project

Students will write a blues and a rhythm changes piece

 

Grading

The instructor will take regular note of student progress. Because each student starts from his/her own performance level, progress is measured relative to student’s starting point. Throughout the semester, the instructor will offer suggestions to each student as to what they need to focus on and what they need to practice in order to make improvement. Two performance tests will be given during the semester. These tests are performed during class and as a group.

Last updated: April 30, 2008