Outline

Overview

Harmony and Arranging Module: This unit deals with the study of the harmony of standard jazz repertoire both from a theoretical angle and through the process of arranging for small jazz combos. Students will learn to understand and use basic harmonic rules and standard harmonic devices, diatonic progression and chord patterns. Keyboard Module: Puts theoretical concepts covered in both the Harmony and Arranging and Aural Modules into practice using keyboard instruments. Aural Module: Offers a systematic study of all simple intervals up to and including one octave, triadic harmony, four note chords in closed position and voice leading within these concepts, focusing on common harmonic movements that occur in the jazz repertoire.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Jazz
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Andrew Robertson, andrew.robertson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	Arranging Module Weekly homework assignments 5 tasks throughout the Semester, each 2% (totalling 10%)	10%	Multiple weeks	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Early Feedback Task - Canvas quiz Mandatory Canvas Quiz based on jazz music skills	0%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2026 at 23:59	20mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Ear Training & Harmony - Class Test (Auralia) Ear training test in Auralia software	5%	Week 05 Due date: 23 Mar 2026 at 23:59	1 hour	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Arranging Module: Mid Semester assignment 32 bar arrangement for 4 Horns demonstrating closed voicing skills.	10%	Week 07 Due date: 19 Apr 2026 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Ear Training & Harmony - Mid-Semester Class Test Ear training class test written	15%	Week 08 Due date: 20 Apr 2026 at 23:59	1 hour	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Ear Training & Harmony - End of Semester Test Written test - summary of Semester work	20%	Week 13 Due date: 31 May 2026 at 23:59	1 hour	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Arranging Module: End of Semester assignment Full chorus arrangement for 8-piece jazz ensemble	20%	Week 13 Due date: 31 May 2026 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Rhythm Fundamentals Participation Participation and attendance mark throughout Semester	15%	Week 13 Due date: 31 May 2026 at 23:59	Throughout Semester	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Con Sings! Attendance at Con Sings! in Week 10	5%	Week 13	4 hours	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Assessment criteria for assessments in this unit of study can be found on Canvas in the appropriate folder.
Assessed work will be marked according to these criteria.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
Absent fail	0 - 49	When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module • Overview of course, assessments, and final arranging task • Diatonic harmony in major keys • Role of arranger vs composer • Score layout for 8-piece ensemble	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 01	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • Course overview and assessment outline • Intervals and the harmonic series • Construction of major scales and church modes • Key centre and tonic: hearing scale degrees relative to tonic	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 02	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module • Written vs sounding pitch • Practical ranges of trumpet, saxophones, trombone • Register considerations and balance	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 02	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • Church modes: structure, sound, and function • Deriving diatonic triads from the major scale • Cadences and simple progressions (e.g. Pachelbel Canon) • Cycle of fifths progressions	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module • Simple melody writing (4–8 bars) • Motivic development • Jazz articulation and phrasing conventions	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • Common 7th chords: maj7, min7, dom7, min7♭5 • Inversions of major and minor triads • Guide tones (3rds and 7ths) • Simple melodic dictation using swing rhythms	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module • Closed position voicings • Voice spacing rules • Harmonising melody in 4 parts	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • 4-bar guide tone tone-rows • Secondary dominants • 12-bar blues and variations • ‘Rhythm Changes’ progression	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module • Textural considerations • Horizontal vs vertical writing • Stepwise motion and contrary motion • Avoiding “block-chord syndrome”	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • Additional 4-bar jazz progressions • More complex melodic dictation • Triad inversions (major and minor) • Bass line and guide tone singing	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module. • Notation conventions for: - Piano (grand staff vs slash notation) - Guitar (chord symbols, slashes) - Bass (walking bass notation) - Drums (lead sheet style notation)	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • Less common 7th chords: dim(maj7), maj7♯5, dom7♭5, dom7♭9 • Harmonic analysis of All of Me • Minor key harmony: Summertime, Angel Eyes • More advanced melodic dictation	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module • Drop-2 concept and sound • Application in small ensemble contexts • Comparison with closed voicing	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • Review of all previous progressions • Progressions not beginning on tonic (ii7, II7, IVmaj7) • Chord transcription from recordings	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 08	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module. • Purpose and function of guide tones • Purpose and function of countermelodies • Register placement and rhythmic contrast	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 08	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module Assessment week: • Aural identification • Melodic dictation • Harmonic recognition • Short written theory components	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 09	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module. • Score setup and introduction to part formatting • Transposition tools • Jazz font, spacing, and layout basics	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 09	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • 7th chord voicings: 1-5-7-3; 1-7-3-5 • Introduction to drop-2 concept • Altering diatonic harmony	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 11	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module. Arranging a 32-Bar Form • AABA and ABAC forms • Sectional contrast and contour • Density and orchestration pacing	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 11	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • Complex progressions with diatonic roots: Repertoire: I Should Care, That Old Feeling, The Man I Love • Advanced melodic dictation	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 12	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module. • Peer listening and critique • Common orchestration errors • Final revisions	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 12	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module • Review of all semester content • Practice examples for final assessment • Integrated aural–theory exercises	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 13	Jazz Music Skills Arranging module. Assessment • Final Project: 32-bar jazz arrangement for 8-piece ensemble • Classroom performance of pieces	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 13	Jazz Music Skills - Ear Training & Harmony module Comprehensive aural exam covering: - Intervals, scales, chords - Harmonic progressions - Melodic dictation - Jazz rhythmic recognition	Tutorial (1.5 hr)

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Become fluent in diatonic jazz harmony and beginning arranging techniques
LO2. Analyse jazz arrangements from a range of styles and eras
LO3. Write arrangements for small group jazz band in a range of styles
LO4. Complete a single chorus arrangement for 8-piece jazz band to be performed in class
LO5. Increase aural skills and use this understanding to deepen your ability to listen, understand and perform in jazz and improvised contexts.
LO6. Identify intervals within an octave and major modal scales by ear
LO7. Identify by ear and notate diatonic melodic phrases of up to 8-bars length
LO8. Identify by ear principally diatonic chordal progressions of up to 8-bars length
LO9. Have a broad understanding of foundation rhythmic principles associated with contemporary music/jazz performance
LO10. Have a basic set of problem solving, procedural skills allowing for the development and manipulation of personal rhythmic process and vocabulary
LO11. Develop physical coordination skills relating to rhythmic forms, structures, and procedural practices

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Changes to number of assessments and weighting plus re-write of sequential learning program.

Additional information

More information and resources are to be found on Canvas

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

JAZZ1621: Jazz Music Skills 1

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links