MUSE 122: Introduction to Jazz Piano

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2023
Credits: 2
Total Contact Hours: 36
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Total Student Learning Hours: 108
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

In-class piano format. This course introduces: jazz chords and their characteristic tension substitutions and many voicings and configurations; modes scales and arpeggios common in jazz; techniques for comping, developing bass lines, harmonizing melodies, melodizing harmonies, and improvisation; essential development of piano technique, hand independence and fingering; practice techniques for committing these concepts to muscle memory. For pianists and non-pianists. 36 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Learn correct piano fingerings for dorian, mixolydian and major scales
  • Learn to construct and use left hand chord shell voicings with right hand three and four note chord voicings
  • Learn to construct and use left hand chord voicings to accompany right hand single note melodies

Major Course Content

  1. Introduction and Course Overview
  2. Introduction to Piano Notation
  3. Staff Notation for Piano Playing
  4. Beginning Note Reading
  5. Introduction to Major Scale fingerings
  6. Introduction to Dorian Minor Scale fingerings
  7. Introduction to Mixolydian Minor Scale fingerings
  8. Introduction to Triads: Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented and Suspended Fourth
  9. Introduction to Block Chords: Major Seventh, Minor Seventh, Dominant Seventh, Diminished Seventh, and Dominant Seventh Suspended 4
  10. Introduction to Diatonic Seventh Chords
  11. Introduction to Cycle Progressions
  12. Introduction to II-V-I Progressions in Major and Minor
  13. Introduction to II-V-I Progressions with dropped notes in Major and Minor
  14. Introduction to Comping Rhythms
  15. Introduction to Bass Lines
  16. Drills to develop hand independence
  17. Developing a menu of chord voicings to accompany right hand melodies
  18. Continued Skill Development and Review

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Related literature on jazz piano techniques

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Identification of musical terms Chord voicing work sheets

Examples of Outside Assignments

Practice scales and finger patterns Practice voicings Practice comping Practice harmonizing melodies

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture