MUSA 180 Introduction to Jazz Improvisation
Previously MUSC 155. This course offers a step-by-step approach to the art and science of jazz improvisation by focusing on the basic elements of music: sound, rhythm, melody, harmony, and form. Students will learn how to create and develop musical ideas and play them in a jazz style. Students will complete assignments that include ear training exercises, creative composition, and memorization. Students will develop a greater awareness of musical style and structure through the use of a variety of listening exercises which cover the blues in jazz, swing, bebop, and modal jazz. Students will learn to improvise over blues forms, II-V-I harmonic progressions, and song forms. Students must be able to read music and possess basic technical proficiency on a melodic instrument.
Hours Weekly
3