MUSI 4225.001 ADVANCED Brian Mulholland TTH 3:00 – 3:50am IMPROVISATION Office: FA 302 FA 367G [email protected] FALL 2012 SYLLABUS

Description : This course is a continuation of Jazz Improvisation II. Students will explore advanced techniques of jazz performance and improvisation as well as the process of integrating new materials and improvisation methods into their playing. Prerequisite : Successful completion of MUSI 3226 (Jazz Improvisation II) or permission of the instructor.

Office Hours : Prior appointment and approval only. Email the professor to set up an appointment.

Communication : I will occasionally communicate using the email address you have set up in the MavMail system. You are responsible for any information sent via email. Ensure you check this email address on a regular basis. If you need assistance with MavMail, contact the Office of Information Technology at

Grading : Written Quizzes = 10% Grading Scale : A: 90-100% ; B: 80-89%; Transcription (x3) = 30% C: 70-79%; D: 60-69% ; F: 0-59% Playing Tests = 60% Attendance : You are required to attend every class. If you must miss a class for an excused reason, you must notify me first via email or in writing and provide appropriate documentation (i.e. doctor’s note). No unexcused absences will be allowed. Each unexcused absence may result in a grade reduction.

Assignments : All students must listen to and be able to accompany others for ALL of the songs on the SONG LIST (below). The complete set of Jamey Aebersold play-along books are available for checkout in the UT Arlington Fine Arts Library, and may be useful to assist you in your practicing.

SONG LIST

Bebop Ballad (incl. verse) Joy Spring Lush Life ( opt.) Donna Lee Stardust

Post Bop Angular Harmony Lazy Bird (incl. coda) Very Early (incl. coda) Stablemates Clockwise

Bossa/Samba Classics Desafinado Cheek To Cheek Agua De Beber (incl. interlude) The Song Is You

Written Quizzes: After choosing one (1) song from each style on the SONG LIST, students will write out the melody, scales, arpeggios, and/or chord changes. The quiz dates are on the syllabus.

Transcriptions: After choosing one (1) song from 3 (three) styles on the SONG LIST, students must transcribe a complete solo from a recording of the song and perform this solo on the due date.

Playing Tests: Students will play FROM MEMORY any melody, scales, arpeggios, exercises, chords, and improvise over the chord changes to each SONG LIST song chosen for an assignment grade. To receive an ‘A’ for an assignment, it must be completed on time with three (3) or fewer errors. To receive a ‘B’, it must be completed on time with between four (4) and six (6) errors. To receive a ‘C’, it must be completed on time with seven (7) to nine (9) errors. Ten (10) or more errors will result in a grade of ‘F.’ If a student is not present to perform an assignment, that student will receive 0% for that assignment. The professor reserves the right to modify this system for a particular assignment and will notify you if that is the case.

Required Materials : You are required to keep a folder/binder containing the syllabus and all assignments, such as sheet music, transcriptions, and blank staff paper. You may download copies of this syllabus at my research profile page syllabus.

Makeup Policy : Late assignments are not accepted. If you have extenuating circumstances you must talk to me first, and the instructor must approve of any changes in writing for any assignment. You may receive consideration only with official, non-photocopied excuse letters from the university or medical doctors. No work may be credited unless you receive written confirmation from the professor prior to the re-quiz/re-exam date. Extra credit is not available.

Student Learning Outcomes : Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1) By memory, write the melody and chord changes to each of the jazz pieces listed in the course outline. 2) By memory, perform the melody and improvise over the chord changes to each of the jazz pieces listed in the course outline. 3) Improvise a well-organized jazz solo over functional and non-functional chord changes utilizing advanced-level techniques, including but not limited to the following: tension/release concepts, chord substitutions, linear (bebop and scalar) playing, modal playing, triad pairs, and organic development concepts. 4) Intelligently and clearly discuss the above improvisation techniques. 5) Perform six transcriptions as transcribed from recordings, emulating each style appropriately. 6) Demonstrate the ability to improvise using a jazz style appropriate to the material being performed.

Americans with Disabilities Act : The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112 -- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans With Disabilities Act - (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens. As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY : All students enrolled in this course are expected to adhere to the UT Arlington Honor Code:

I pledge, on my honor, to uphold UT Arlington’s tradition of academic integrity, a tradition that values hard work and honest effort in the pursuit of academic excellence.

I promise that I will submit only work that I personally create or contribute to group collaborations, and I will appropriately reference any work from other sources. I will follow the highest standards of integrity and uphold the spirit of the Honor Code.

Instructors may employ the Honor Code as they see fit in their courses, including (but not limited to) having students acknowledge the honor code as part of an examination or requiring students to incorporate the honor code into any work submitted. Per UT System Regents’ Rule 50101, §2.2, suspected violations of university’s standards for academic integrity (including the Honor Code) will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. Violators will be disciplined in accordance with University policy, which may result in the student’s suspension or expulsion from the University. Student Support Services Available : UT Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. Resources include tutoring, major-based learning centers, developmental education, advising and mentoring, personal counseling, and federally funded programs. For individualized referrals, students may visit the reception desk at University College (Ransom Hall), call the Maverick Resource Hotline at 817-272-6107, send a message to [email protected], or view the information at .

Drop Policy : Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Undeclared students must see an advisor in the University Advising Center. Drops can continue through a point two-thirds of the way through the term or session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at .

Student Feedback Survey : At the end of each term, students enrolled in classes categorized as lecture, seminar, or laboratory shall be directed to complete a Student Feedback Survey (SFS). Instructions on how to access the SFS for this course will be sent directly to each student through MavMail approximately 10 days before the end of the term. Each student’s feedback enters the SFS database anonymously and is aggregated with that of other students enrolled in the course. UT Arlington’s effort to solicit, gather, tabulate, and publish student feedback is required by state law; students are strongly urged to participate. For more information, visit .

Final Review Week : A period of five class days prior to the first day of final examinations in the long sessions shall be designated as Final Review Week. The purpose of this week is to allow students sufficient time to prepare for final examinations. During this week, there shall be no scheduled activities such as required field trips or performances; and no instructor shall assign any themes, research problems or exercises of similar scope that have a completion date during or following this week unless specified in the class syllabus . During Final Review Week, an instructor shall not give any examinations constituting 10% or more of the final grade, except makeup tests and laboratory examinations. In addition, no instructor shall give any portion of the final examination during Final Review Week. During this week, classes are held as scheduled. In addition, instructors are not required to limit content to topics that have been previously covered; they may introduce new concepts as appropriate.

RECOMMENDED LISTENING

Joy Spring (Aeber. 53) & Quintet EmArcy, Verve Donna Lee (Aeber. 6) Parker, 1947; Brown, 1955 Savoy, Columbia Lush Life (Aeber. 32, 66) & Johnny Hartman GRP,Impulse Stardust (Aeber. 52 “C”; 107 “Ab”) Carmichael, 1927; Armstrong, 1931 redhotjazz.com Lazy Bird (Aeber. 38) Blue Train Blue Note Stablemates (Aeber. 14 fast; 65) Bennie Golson & The Philadelphians UA, Blue Note Very Early (Aeber. 45) Bill Evans Moonbeams Riverside, Fantasy Clockwise (Aeber. 35) Billy Higgins Soweto Red Desafinado (Aeber. 31; 74; 98) with Charlie Byrd Verve Agua De Beber The Astrud Gilberto Album Verve Cheek To Cheek Top Hat (movie); Ella and Louis Verve The Song Is You (Aeber. 15 fast; 55) Getz, Parker, Brubeck, Jarrett various Advanced Jazz Improvisation Course Schedule: Fall 2012 All assignments are due on the date listed.

TUESDAY THURSDAY

8/23: Introduction to Course

8/28: Post Bop 8/30: Post Bop con’t.

9/4 : Quiz: Post-Bop chord changes 9/6: Post Bop con’t.

9/11: PLAYING TEST #1 9/13: Bebop

9/18: Bebop con’t. 9/20: Quiz: Bebop song chord changes

9/25: Transcription #1 9/27: PLAYING TEST #2

10/2: Angular Harmony 10/4: Angular Harmony con’t.

10/9: Quiz: Angular chord changes 10/11: Angular Harmony con’t.

10/16: PLAYING TEST #3 10/18: Classics

10/23: Classics con’t. 10/25: Quiz: Classics

10/30: Transcription #2 11/1: PLAYING TEST #4

11/6: Ballad 11/8: Ballad con’t.

11/13: Quiz: Ballad 11/15: Ballad con’t.

11/20: PLAYING TEST #5 11/22: THANKSGIVING BREAK

11/27: Transcription #3 11/29: Bossa/Samba

12/4: Bossa/Samba con’t. 12/6: Quiz: Bossa/Samba

FINAL PLAYING EXAM: December 11 (Tuesday), 2:00 P.M.