Course

Contemporary Instrumental Improvisation II

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course code
MUSC 1214
Credits
1.50
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
15
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Tutorial
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course deals with the further study and application of the rhythmic and harmonic language of jazz and related contemporary music, with a focus on solo improvisation.

Through class participation, students will develop their technical and aural ability beyond the blues, modes and basic chord/scale theory to include 32 bar song form (standards).

Students may participate on either their primary or secondary instrument. Drummers will play either a mallet instrument (vibraphone) or percussion in addition to drums.

This course is the continuation of MUSC 1114 Contemporary Instrumental Improvisation I, and some limited experience in improvisation is expected.
Course content

Improvisation:

  • Understanding 32-bar song and other extended/experimental forms
  • Using lead sheets
  • Playing a melody and adding personal variation
  • Knowing the harmony and associated scales
  • Assimilating more complex jazz rhythms
  • Developing a rhythmic flow based on chord/scales
  • Developing individual jazz phrasing
  • Organizing an improvised solo
  • Studying the masters
  • Transcribing solos
  • Interacting in the group setting
  • Comping (improvised accompaniment for guitarists and pianists)
Learning activities

Lecture/demonstration

Means of assessment

Class participation up to the mid-term: 15%

Class participation from the mid-term to the end of the course: 15%

Solo improvisation - tested at the end of the course: 30%

Written Exams (mid-term and final): 20%

Transcription projects (2 minimum): 20%

Total: 100%

Learning outcomes

The successful student will be able to:

  1. Perform a basic solo over a 32-bar jazz standard song. Examples are (but not limited to), "Oleo", "A Night in Tunisia", "Take the A Train"
  2. Read chord changes as found in many jazz standards using the proper chord/scale combinations.
  3. Understand II-V-I chord progressions in selected key signatures as set out by the instructor
  4. Apply knowledge of the basic jazz standard song formats (AABA, ABAB, ABAC and others) as studied in class
  5. Demonstrate understanding of selected standard song melodies as studied in class
  6. Express some individual phrasing ideas during a solo
Textbook materials

The instructor may assign a text book such as: Creative Jazz Improvisation by Scott Reeves (Prentice Hall), or A Guide to Jazz Improvisation by John la Porta (Berklee Press) – students will purchase the version that applies to their instrument.

Requisites

Prerequisites

MUSC 1114

Corequisites

Registration in one of the following MUSC courses: 1150, 1250, 2350, 2450, 1152, 1252, 2352, 2452, 1153, 1253, 2353, 2453

Equivalencies

none

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for MUSC 1214
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025