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Unit of study_

JAZZ1622: Jazz Music Skills 2

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Sydney

Harmony and Arranging Module: Deals with more advanced aspects of jazz music theory and arranging, such as voicing techniques for two to four horns, harmonisation of passing tones, clusters and other techniques. Students may be organised into ensemble-like groups and may be expected to bring their instruments to perform the works presented. Keyboard module: Puts theoretical concepts covered in both the Harmony and Arranging and Aural Modules into practice using keyboard instruments. Aural Module: Consolidates and expands upon concepts and skills introduced in Jazz Music Skills 1, and introduces compound intervals, open voicings, the addition of upper extensions to all chord types, and increasingly complex harmonic structures.

Unit details and rules

Unit code JAZZ1622
Academic unit Jazz
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
JAZZ1621
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Andrew Robertson, andrew.robertson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Andrew Robertson, andrew.robertson@sydney.edu.au
Matthew McMahon, matthew.mcmahon@sydney.edu.au
Steve Barry, steve.barry@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Harmony Module - Weekly Homework Assignments
Multiple weekly homework tasks
3.33% Multiple weeks 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Piano Module - Weekly listening & discussion
Give a brief critical commentary about a jazz recording (100-150 words).
5% Multiple weeks 1hr
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Small test Piano Module - Preliminary Grading Assessment
Short assessment of progress with the course materials presented in Wk 1-2
3.33% Week 03 5 min each student
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO14 LO13 LO12 LO11 LO10
Small test Ear Training Module - Class test 1
Written test
8.33% Week 05 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Harmony Module - Mid Semester Assignment
Assignment - 8 piece jazz band arrangement
6.67% Week 06
Due date: 11 Sep 2022 at 23:59
8 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO2
Small test Piano Module - Chord Theory Test
Realise chord symbols, spot errors in notated chords, indicate chord-scales
5% Week 07 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO14 LO13 LO12 LO11 LO10
Small test Ear Training Module - Class test 2
Written test
8.33% Week 08 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Week 9 Harmony Module Assignment
32 bar arrangement for large jazz ensemble (Big Band).
6.67% Week 09
Due date: 09 Oct 2022 at 23:59
10 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Small test Harmony Module - End of Semester Test
Summation of all Semester 4 work
6.67% Week 12 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5
Small test Ear Training Module - End of Semester Test
Summation of all Semester 4 work
16.67% Week 12 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Piano Module - End of Semester Assessment
Rolling assessment of the various tasks for each piece of repertoire.
20% Week 12 10 min each student
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO14 LO13 LO12 LO11 LO10
Assignment Harmony Module - End of semester assignment
Assignment - 8 piece jazz band arrangement between 3-5 mins in duration
10% Week 13
Due date: 06 Nov 2022 at 23:59
20 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5

Assessment summary

  • End of Semester Class Test – Ear training & Harmony modules: Ear Training: will consist of a written test where students will be asked to identify and transcribe exercises performed on the piano by the examiner. Harmony: a written test covering all learning activities throughout Semester 2
  • Class tests (Ear Training): class test will consist of a written test in which the student will be asked to identify and transcribe exercises performed on the piano by the examiner
  • Weekly Homework Assignments (Harmony): Homework Assignments, due in various weeks, different topics based on content covered in class. They will be simple and short activities focusing on the learnings of that week’s class.
  • 2 Larger Arranging Assignments (Harmony): Two larger assignments throughout the semester delivered in Week 2 (due Week 5); Week 5 (due Week 9). Each assignment is designed to build skills toward the final assignment.
  • End of Semester assignment (Harmony): Extended small jazz band (8 piece) arrangement of 3-5 minutes duration with full score and parts. The writing of a successful arrangement demonstrates the student’s knowledge of jazz harmony and arranging in the most immediate and direct way. This arrangement will demonstrate an overall grasp of both fundamentals and more advanced concepts in jazz harmony, and exhibit facility with the content covered in class.

Detailed information for each assessment can 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per Sydney University guidelines

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 Harmony Module Review of Semester 1 Review arranging skills and information from Semester 1; including: • Creating guide tone lines • Diatonic harmony questions • Simple closed and open voicing • Instrument transposition Developing Counterlines Expanding on the ideas from Semester 1 of counterlines. We’ll expand this idea and discuss how counterlines can embellish a melody without detracting from it. Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Jazz Piano Module - Revision of the 5 different types of 7th chords • Introduction to colourful voicings in “A” and “B” forms • “A” and “B” voicings for half-diminished and altered dominant chords • Re-examination of Green Dolphin Street in Eb major, using colourful voicings Lecture (0.6 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 02 Harmony Module Exploring Colours Using instrumental colours is a key element to successful arranging. We’ll explore how certain instruments work well together and some don’t. In addition we’ll begin to understand how certain ranges of instruments create different effects when blended with other instruments. This includes use of mutes on brass, writing in specific ranges of the front line instruments. Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Piano Module Recorda-Me in A minor Lecture (0.6 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 03 Harmony Module Music of Latin America and it’s influence in Jazz and Jazz Arranging The study of the music from this continent is a lifelong one, however we will begin looking at the principle rhythms of the region that have directly impacted jazz. Initially we’ll look at the most commonly used styles of ‘Latin-American’ music: • Salsa; • Son-Montuno; • Bossanova; • Samba Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Piano Module Revision of Green Dolphin Street and Recorda-Me • Preliminary grading assessment (10%) Online class (0.6 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 04 Harmony Module Writing for the Rhythm Section ala Latin style! We will again look at the Latin-American rhythms from last week and how they can be implemented onto the rhythm section parts. We will study further how writing for each of these instruments has it’s own challenges. Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Piano Module Long cycles of ii-V’s in All The Things You Are Online class (0.6 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 05 Harmony Module Extended harmonies This week will look at extended harmonies including: - #5 and b5 - #9 and b9 - 11 - 13 We will explore voicing these sounds with only 4 brass/reed parts. Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Piano Module Revisiting four-part harmonization & colourful voicings • Peace in Bb major Online class (0.6 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 06 Harmony Module Arranging Up Tempo pieces (Bebop and Beyond!) This week we will explore the differences in writing for up tempo pieces – for both horn sections and rhythm sections. Elements we’ll explore include: • less use of harmony and more unison • solo lines with group backings • when and where to use closed and open voicings and do they each have a ‘speed’ • 2 feel and ‘4 on the floor’ feels for the rhythm section • Comping patterns for Piano/Guitar at faster speeds Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Piano Module The Night Has A Thousand Eyes in G major Online class (0.6 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 07 Harmony Module Introductions and Codas When arranging any piece we need a way to musically get in and out of the piece. Introductions and Codas are your key to doing this, but what goes into an effective Intro or Coda. We’ll look at making use of melodic, rhythmic, harmonic and motific elements from a piece to create Intros and Codas. Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Piano Module Revision of Recorda-Me, Green Dolphin Street, All The Things You Are, Peace and The Night Has A Thousand Eyes • Chord theory test (15%) Online class (0.6 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 08 Harmony Module Non-Standard Voicing - Breaking the rules! We have looked at standard 4 note voicing in both open and closed position. This week we will look at non-standard voicing including cluster voicing and 4th voicings Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Piano Module Modal harmony & intervallic voicings • Visby first chord Emaj7(#11) Online class (0.6 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 09 Harmony Module Score Analysis We will spend some time working through the score of the Marty Paich arrangement of ‘Love Me Or Leave Me’ that you transcribed 4 bars from earlier in the semester. Marty Paich was a master arranger of small and large jazz ensembles, as well as orchestral and vocal/choir writing in the post WWII era. We can learn a lot by examining the methods he used, as displayed in this chart. Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 10 Harmony Module Semester Summary We’ll do this over the following 2 weeks in preparation for the final exam assessment in Week 12. This is your opportunity to ask and discuss anything from our work during the semester. Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Harmony Module Multi-Week Assignment Review We will spend approximately 30-45 minutes working on your multi-week assignment. Semester Summary This is your opportunity to ask and discuss anything from our work during the semester in preparation for the end of Semester assignment and exam. Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Harmony Module End of Semester class test - a summary of all work covered across Semester 2, 2020 Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture recording: Lectures for this unit of study will be recorded and made available to students via the Learning Management System (LMS) 
  • 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 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. recognise intervals within an octave
  • LO2. identify all chord qualities including 9th chords with alterations
  • LO3. transcribe short melodies and 8 bar chord progressions which make use of chromaticism
  • LO4. demonstrate knowledge of fundamental jazz harmonic principles through improvisation in a coherent way
  • LO5. analyse jazz arrangements from a range of styles and eras
  • LO6. write arrangements for small group jazz bands in a number of styles
  • LO7. be fluent in diatonic jazz harmony and small group arranging techniques
  • LO8. complete a smaller-sized arrangement for a small group jazz band to be performed in class.
  • LO9. identify and construct (from printed score or from memory) the extended/colourful 7th chords derived from the modes of the major scale, including: maj6/9, min9, dominant 9 and 13 and some altered dominant chords, min9(b5) or half-diminished 9, and diminished 7
  • LO10. name and compare some basic alternative voicings and parent scales that may be used when harmonising or re-harmonising: 1. tonic major and minor chords (I chords); 2. minor and half-diminished (or min7(b5) chords (ii7 chords); and 3. dominant 7 chords (V7 chords)
  • LO11. name and describe some uses for the chords derived from the melodic minor scale
  • LO12. describe and apply drop 2 voicing technique to ii-V-I and diatonic cycle chord progressions
  • LO13. 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
  • LO14. utilise 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 changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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