Jazz Improvisation develops the student's practical ability in improvisation, informed by theoretical, aural historical, cultural and stylistic concepts. It deepens the student's understanding of structure within improvised music and the historical and cultural contexts which affected its development. Emphasis is placed upon developing the student's melodic, rhythmic and aural skills as well as their ability accurately to transcribe and analyse music from sound recordings. Throughout three years of study, a variety of concepts, approaches, methodologies and skills are introduced through which student learning is progressively extended and consolidated.

This course explores improvisational concepts including inside and outside playing, melodic development, intervallic playing, use of 4^th's, pentatonics, double time playing and chromaticism. Compositions to be used include Confirmation and Have You Met Miss Jones.  Each tune will run for six weeks.

On completion of this course you s will be able to:

Learning Outcomes (Excluding Drummers)

1. Interpret improvisation techniques and apply them to your instrument.
2. Memorise melodies and chord changes to all set works.
3. Personally transcribe/analyse and commit to memory a solo of the set works, in a variety of keys.
4. Perform and analyse your own written solos.
5. Perform solos transcribed from lecturer performances.
6. Draw upon above mentioned improvisation concepts and structures so that you can create your own improvised solo.

Learning Outcomes (Drummers Only)

1. Memorise and sing melodies and state chord changes with correct harmonic movement to all set works.
2. Compose your own solos over the forms of the compositions at speed and perform them by memory.
3. Perform riding and comping simultaneously over the specific forms at crotchet = 250bpm - maintain this for ten minutes to help increase stamina.
4. Personally transcribe drum solos and part thereof in this style on weekly/bi-weekly basis and demonstrate in class at tempo preferably by memory. This can also include trading bars. 

Three hours of seminars/workshops per week.

MUSM1301 and MUSM1302 or MUSM1305

A good grasp of Jazz Aural and Improvisation such as gained through completion of those components of MUSM1301 and MUSM1302, or MUSM1305 Foundation Musical Skills.