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Unit of study_
JAZZ1025: Jazz Piano 1
2026 unit information
This unit of study introduces a range of fundamental techniques and styles of jazz piano performance. Students explore melodic improvisation strategies, guide-tone voicings, 7th chords, and approaches to accompaniment and orchestration through modules on the Blues, the Great American Songbook, the Harlem Renaissance, and Brazilian bossa nova/samba. The keyboard lab setting and a tiered curriculum of skill development allow students to progress at their own pace throughout the semester, guided by regular feedback from their tutor. Assessment includes both individual components and a duo “micro-recital" with a class peer, further emphasizing the collaborative nature of jazz.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Jazz |
| Credit points | 3 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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To have a basic understanding of the names of the notes on a piano keyboard, and to have an understanding and basic ability to be able to read music notation in treble and bass clefs |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. identify and construct (from printed score or from memory) the basic 7th chords derived from the modes of the major scale, including: maj7, min7, dominant 7, min7(b5) or half-diminished 7, and diminished 7.
- LO2. use a number of basic techniques to improvise melodies over simple jazz repertoire.
- LO3. employ a small number of basic techniques of arranging music at the piano from a lead sheet (i.e. chord & bass, melody & chord).
- LO4. illustrate a basic understanding of voice-leading between consecutive chord structures and in harmonic progressions.
- LO5. describe in basic detail some aspects of recorded jazz music, and identify a small number of relevant techniques employed by the performing musicians that may be in turn used to inform one's own practice and arrangements.
- LO6. utilize the resources presented in this course to inform further private practice and study of (or improvisation or composition with) jazz piano and jazz harmony.
Unit availability
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