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Unit of study_

JAZZ1025: Jazz Piano 1

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Sydney

This unit of study will focus on basic keyboard technique as well as jazz chord progressions and voicings in small classes with students of like abilities. Students are assessed on their rate of progress by demonstrating successful completion of pieces and exercises. At the end of semester examinations, students are required to demonstrate their understanding of the chords and voice leading of the selected repertoire. An introduction to playing chords of tunes of the jazz repertoire. An introduction to playing diatonic cycle harmony. An introduction into jazz rhythmic articulations.

Unit details and rules

Unit code JAZZ1025
Academic unit Jazz
Credit points 3
Prohibitions
? 
JAZZ1601
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

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

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Steve Barry, steve.barry@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Rolling final assessment (weeks 9-13)
Rolling assessment of the various tasks for each piece of repertoire.
65% Multiple weeks 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Preliminary grading assessment
Short grading assessment of progress with the exiting course materials.
10% Week 03 7 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly listenings & commentary
Give a brief critical commentary about a jazz recording (100-150 words).
15% Weekly 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Participation Attendance
n/a
10% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Students are assessed as much on their progress throughout the semester as their progress relative to their previous ability/knowledge/familiarity with the piano and jazz theory.

Occasionally, if students complete the RH melody and LH chords tasks, they may not be asked to then play the melody & bass task – but students will need to have this prepared regardless.

Mack The Knife (C & Eb major)

  1. Version 1 – Chords (RH) and bass (LH)
  2. Version 2 – Melody (RH) and chords (LH)
  3. [Advanced] – Improvise melodies (RH) and chords (LH)

Blues O’Mighty (C & G major)

  1. Version 1 – Guide-tone chords (RH) and bass (LH)
  2. Version 2 – Melody (RH) and guide-tone chords (LH)
  3. Version 2.1 [Advanced] – Pentatonic improvisation (RH) and guide-tone chords (LH)
  4. Version 3 – Melody (RH) and four-note chords (LH)
  5. Version 4 [Advanced] – Arrangement w/’shell’ voicings

Diatonic cycle harmony (C, F & G major)

  1. Axis of the 3rd
  2. Axis of the 7th

Fly Me To The Moon (C and Bb major)

  1. Version 1 – Chords (RH) and bass (LH)
  2. Version 2 – Melody (RH) and chords (LH)

The Preacher (F & Ab major)

  1. Version 1 – Chords (RH) and bass (LH)
  2. Version 1.1 [Advanced] – Chords (RH) and original bass line (LH)
  3. Version 2 – Melody (RH) and chords (LH)
  4. Version 3 – [Advanced] – Melody (RH) and ‘stride’ style (LH)

Detailed information for each assessment can also be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.

Credit

65 - 74

Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.

Pass

50 - 64

Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.

Fail

0 - 49

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction to triads, 7th chords and the basic chord types of the major scale; 2. Introduction to chord inversions & voice-leading; 3. 'Mack the Knife' in C & Eb major. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 02 1. Introduction to the blues; 2. 'Blues O'Mighty' in C and G major. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 03 Revision of 'Mack the Knife' and 'Blues O'Mighty'. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 04 1. Introduction to cycle harmony; 2. 'Fly Me To The Moon' in C and Bb major. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Revision of 'Mack the Knife', 'Blues O'Mighty', and 'Fly Me To The Moon'. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 06 'The Preacher' in F and Ab major. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Revision of 'Mack the Knife', 'Blues O'Mighty', 'Fly Me To The Moon' and 'The Preacher'. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 'In A Mellow Tone' in G and Ab major. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 09 In class ongoing assessment period, Weeks 9-13. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Special projects week (no class) Independent study (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 In class ongoing assessment period, Weeks 9-13. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 12 In class ongoing assessment period, Weeks 9-13. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 13 In class ongoing assessment period, Weeks 9-13. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

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. name and demonstrate the 'guide tones' of each of the basic 7th chords.
  • 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.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

NO INFORMATION ENTERED HERE YET

Disclaimer

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