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A Non-Idiomatic Improvisation Course for the Undergraduate Music Curriculum DMA Document Presented In

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A Non-Idiomatic Improvisation Course for the Undergraduate Music Curriculum DMA Document Presented In Improvisation Methods: A Non-Idiomatic Improvisation Course for the Undergraduate Music Curriculum D.M.A Document Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Musical Arts in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Colin A. Wood Graduate Program in Music The Ohio State University 2019 D.M.A. Document Committee Dr. Scott A. Jones, Advisor Mr. Shawn Wallace Dr. David Bruenger Dr. Thomas Wells Dr. Michael Rene Torres 1 Copyrighted by Colin A. Wood 2019 2 Abstract National standards in music education from elementary through the university level dictate that students should receive instruction in musical improvisation. However, most university music curricula do not include coursework devoted to the subject. This document first examines the calls for reform in collegiate music education as well as the challenges and barriers to change. Then, a review of literature illuminates motivations for incorporating improvisation in music education, the benefits of improvisation training, research on assessment in improvisation, and methods for teaching improvisation. A comprehensive semester-long course for teaching non-idiomatic improvisation at the undergraduate level to musicians of all instruments and backgrounds follows. The course design, assignments, and activities are all detailed to facilitate potential adoption by collegiate institutions. The document concludes with avenues for further research on the topic. It is the hope of this author that this document inspires the creation and adoption of courses in improvisation at colleges and universities. ii Vita 2010 ……………………….. B.M. Jazz Studies, West Virginia University 2016 ……………………….. M.M. Saxophone Performance, The Ohio State University 2015 to present ……………. Graduate Teaching Associate, School of Music, The Ohio State University Fields of Study Major Field: Music iii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Vita ..................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2. Related Research ............................................................................................... 6 Research on the benefits of improvisation ...................................................................... 6 Methods for teaching improvisation ............................................................................. 11 Assessment strategies for improvisation ....................................................................... 22 Calls for the inclusion of improvisation........................................................................ 25 Chapter 3. Course Design ................................................................................................. 32 Course Specifications.................................................................................................... 32 Design Methodology ..................................................................................................... 33 Course Goals and Learning Outcomes ..................................................................... 35 Student Assignments and Course Skeleton............................................................... 40 Integrated Course Plan .............................................................................................. 43 Syllabus ..................................................................................................................... 46 Integral Improvisation Methodologies ...................................................................... 46 Weekly Course Schedule .............................................................................................. 48 Week 1 ...................................................................................................................... 48 Week 2 ...................................................................................................................... 55 Week 3 ...................................................................................................................... 60 Week 4 ...................................................................................................................... 66 Week 5 ...................................................................................................................... 71 iv Week 6. ..................................................................................................................... 77 Week 7. ..................................................................................................................... 80 Week 8. ..................................................................................................................... 83 Week 9. ..................................................................................................................... 85 Week 10. ................................................................................................................... 87 Week 11. ................................................................................................................... 89 Week 12. ................................................................................................................... 89 Week 13. ................................................................................................................... 92 Week 14. ................................................................................................................... 92 Finals Week. ............................................................................................................. 95 Chapter 4. Further Research and Conclusion ................................................................... 98 Further Research ........................................................................................................... 98 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 100 Bibliography ................................................................................................................... 102 Appendix A. Assignment Prompts ................................................................................. 109 Appendix B. Harmonic Progressions .............................................................................. 125 Appendix C. Course Syllabus ......................................................................................... 130 v List of Tables Table 1 Course Goals and Learning Outcomes ................................................................ 36 Table 2 Course Skeleton ................................................................................................... 42 Table 3 Integrated Course Plan ......................................................................................... 43 vi List of Figures Figure 1. Assignment Prompt Week 1 .............................................................................. 54 Figure 2. Assignment Prompt Week 2 .............................................................................. 58 Figure 3. Assignment Prompt Week 3 .............................................................................. 65 Figure 4. Assignment Prompt Week 4 .............................................................................. 69 Figure 5. Assignment Prompt Week 5 .............................................................................. 74 Figure 6. Rubric for Week 5 Assignment ......................................................................... 75 Figure 7. Assignment Prompt Week 7 .............................................................................. 79 Figure 8. Assignment Prompt Week 7 .............................................................................. 81 Figure 9. Assignment Prompt Week 9 .............................................................................. 85 Figure 10. Assignment Prompt Week 10 .......................................................................... 88 Figure 11. Assignment Prompt Week 12 .......................................................................... 91 Figure 12. Assignment Prompt Week 14 .......................................................................... 93 Figure 13. Assignment Prompt Final Performance........................................................... 95 Figure 14. Assignment Prompt Final Essay ...................................................................... 96 vii Chapter 1. Introduction The National Association for Schools of Music (NASM) is the primary accrediting body for collegiate and university music programs in the United States. Among its many criteria for accredited institutions, NASM identifies five broad areas as the “Common Body of Knowledge and Skills” that must be addressed in any professional music degree program: 1. Performance 2. Musicianship
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