MUSI2024 Jazz and Popular Music: Theory, Practice and Improvisation
Lectures in theory run parallel with a manual specially written for this course unit. The materials include the analysis of songs and jazz standards, the notation of harmonic analysis, and the close reading of selected jazz solos.
Co-ordinator: Dr Andy Fisher
Module Details
Title: Jazz and Popular Music: Theory, Practice and Improvisation
Code: MUSI2024
Year: 2
Semester: 1
CATS points: 15 ECTS points: 7.5
Level: Undergraduate
Pre-requisites and / or co-requisites
- This course is the pre-requisite module for MUSI 2003 Jazz Techniques.
- This course is on the list of pre-requisite modules for the 3rd year unit MUSI 3003 Commercial Composition
To gain an understanding of the tonal and rhythmic theory of jazz and contemporary music. Students will learn how jazz standards and other jazz forms ‘work’ and how to utilise those techniques in improvisation and arranging contexts. Some prior knowledge of music theory would be useful but not essential.
This module looks at a selection of case studies in a variety of differing styles. Students also look at a selection of appropriate notational styles and analytical approaches.
Study time allocation
Contact hours: 2
Private study hours: 10
Total study time:
12
hours
Teaching and learning methods
One two-hour lecture per week.
Resources and reading list
- The Jazz Theory Book – Mark Levine (Sher Music Co, 1995)
- What to Listen for In Jazz - Barry Kernfeld (Yale, 1995)
- Jazzology: The Encyclopedia of Jazz Theory for All Musicians - Robert Rawlins, Nor
- Eddine Bahha, (Hal Leonard, 2005)
Assessment methods
- Five, fortnightly, coursework assignments (15% each)
- One written solo (25%)