71.425 Jazz Theory
Course Information and Standards

Class meeting time/place
MWF 11AM, DR309
Instructor
Stuart Smith
Office
Durgin 422
Office Hours
By appointment
Telephone
(978) 934-3616
E-mail
stu@cs.uml.edu

Course Description

This course covers jazz notation, the basic harmonic vocabulary of jazz, chord progressions, chord voicings, voice-leading, harmonization of melodies, chord-scale theory, functional harmony, jazz rhythm, and jazz form. Regular assignments will include writing, analyzing, and performing arrangements of standard melodies and original tunes. Use of music notation software such as Sibelius and Finale is required for assignments. Music majors only. 3 credit hours. Prerequisite: 71.202.

Required Course Materials

Expected Course Outcomes

This course is intended to complement the knowledge and skills gained in Music Theory 1 through 4. Students will learn the specific harmonic and melodic languages used in jazz (and in much popular music) and will be able to apply this knowledge in practical situations. Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to interpret (realize) the chord symbol notation found in lead sheets, analyze (and, where necessary, correct) lead sheet chords, write simple keyboard and instrumental arrangements of jazz and pop melodies in appropriate styles, write and improvise simple melodic lines over common chord progressions, and compose a pop tune in one of the standard forms.

Assignments

Regular assignments will include readings in the course textbook, written exercises, and composing or arranging projects. Unless specifically allowed by the instructor, all assignments must be submitted in printed form as produced by the music notation software in the Music Technology Lab or the equivalent. Scores and parts submitted for assignments must conform to the layout standards described in class and in the course handouts.

All assignments are due no later than the class meeting set by the instructor. Assignments submitted after this class will immediately lose one full letter grade, and will continue to lose a full letter grade for each class meeting beyond the due date, starting from the grade they would have received had they been handed in on time. Handwritten and improperly formatted scores and parts will not be accepted. No assignments will be accepted after the final class meeting of the semester.

Tests and Grading

Each student's final grade in this course will be the average of the grades received for (1) the homework assignments and quizes (50%), (2) the midterm exam (25%), and (3) the final exam or project (25%). A grade of "Incomplete" will be granted only under the conditions described in the current Undergraduate Catalog. Make-up assignments and make-up exams, including the final exam, will not be provided.

Academic Dishonesty

Unless specifically stated otherwise by the instructor, all work in this course is to be each student's own. Students should therefore be familiar with the University's rules on academic dishonesty.

Course Outline

  1. The Structure of Jazz
  2. The Harmonic Vocabulary of Jazz
  3. Jazz Melody
  4. Developing a Bass Line
  5. Standard Chord Progressions
  6. Chord Voicings
  7. Voice Leading
  8. Functional Harmony in Jazz
  9. Chord-scale theory
  10. Other Systems

Last updated 2 July 2007

stu@cs.uml.edu

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