MUSC 148: Jazz Vocal Techniques I

• Demonstrate with beginning level proficiency in linear materials utilized for vocal jazz improvisation; select modes of major and melodic minor scales and their arpeggios, and fundamental melodic and harmonic patterns.
• Demonstrate in written form an understanding of the basic building blocks of jazz harmony: Concepts of modality and tonal center; the chords, arpeggios and chord scales of II-V-I progressions in all major and minor keys; and concepts of key areas in vocal jazz harmonic progressions.
• Demonstrate correct and effective beginning level improvisation on the II-V-I chord progressions of all major and minor keys, and the three most basic chord types (dorian minor 7th, dominant 7th and major 7th.)
• Demonstrate the fundamentals of rehearsing and performing with a jazz band through verbal communication, exploration of varying jazz styles, and lead sheet construction.

1. Introduction to vocal jazz melodic materials
   1. Major and Melodic Minor Scales and their most commonly used modes
   2. Arpeggios of Major and Melodic Minor modes
   3. Melodic patterns, standard phrases
2. Introduction to vocal jazz harmonic materials
   1. Basic chord spellings
   2. Basic jazz chord voicings and inversions
   3. Lead sheet chord symbols
   4. The "Cycle of Dominants" and the II-V7-I progressions in major and minor keys
3. Introduction to jazz chord progressions 
4. Introduction to jazz melodic phrasing and articulation
5. Introduction to linear/harmonic approaches to improvisation
   1. Recognizing and utilizing key areas
   2. Chord scales
   3. Chord tones and arpeggios
   4. Fundamental voice-leading
6. Solo improvisation
   1. Improvising on elementary jazz chord progressions
   2. Improvising on chord progressions of select beginning-level standards of the jazz repertoire
   3. Modal improvisation techniques
7. Working with a band
   1. Clear and concise verbal communication with instrumentalists in an ensemble setting in rehearsals and in performances
   2. Exploring various jazz styles (swing, latin, waltz, ballad, afro-cuban, funk, etc.)
   3. Lead sheet construction and analysis

Each designated class sub-group will meet to rehearse assigned course content topics:

1. Practice chord scales, arpeggios, and melodic patterns on primary instrument
2. Practice application of improvisation techniques to assigned easy selections of the jazz repertoire and chord progression exercises