Music Performance, Improvisation - Jazz and Pop I, 30 credits

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After completing the course, the student should be able to

• give an account of repertoire in the jazz/pop field
• give an account of voice leading concepts in the jazz/pop field.

Skills and ability
After completing the course, the student should be able to

• perform music with stylistic awareness in different ensemble forms within the jazz/pop field
• perform on their main instrument with good technical and artistic skills
• apply in-depth knowledge of jazz/pop related music theory, ear training and arranging in their own musical creation
• use the voice to realize musical notation and transcribe musical examples.

Evaluation ability and approach
After completing the course, the student should be able to

• describe and reflect on the possibilities and limitations of musical notation in relation to sounding reality.

Content

Instrument, 7,5 Credits

Proficiency training in instrument/voice, focusing in technical as well as artistic skills.

Ensemble, 7,5 Credits

Group playing in different styles within the jazz/pop field.

Music Theory, 7,5 Credits

Arranging, musical analysis and ear training.

Second subject, 7,5 Credits

Based on the student's choice, can be instrument, voice or music theory.

Examinations and grades

Instrument

Instrument, 7.5 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Ensemble

Ensemble, 7.5 credits (Code: A002)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Music Theory

Music Theory, 7.5 credits (Code: A003)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Second subject

Second Subject, 7.5 credits (Code: A004)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

To pass the whole course, at least the grade E is required for each examination.

The letter Grades A-E will be converted to numbers 5-1 and combined to an average grade, where the number of credits for each examination also are taken in to account. A weighted average grade of the course modules will thus be reported for the whole course.
Grade A is given when the average mark is at least 4.5.
Grade B is given when the average mark is at least 3.5 but lower than 4.5.
Grade C is given when the average mark is at least 2.5 but lower than 3.5.
Grade D is given when the average mark is at least 1.5 but lower than 2.5.
Grade E is given when the average mark is lower than 1.5.

In order to receive the final course grade A or B, the student must have received the grade A or B on the sub-courses Instrument and Ensemble, and at least the grade E on the remaining sub-courses.

Modes of assessment

Instrument, 7,5 credits (Code: A001)
Practical examination.

Ensemble, 7,5, credits (Code: A002)
Practical examination.

Music Theory, 7,5 credits (Code: A003)
Practical examination.

Second Subject, 7,5 credits (Code: A004)
Practical examination.

Comments on modes of assesment
Supplementary tasks for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that the student who has not passed the examination may carry out supplementary tasks instead of undertaking a full re-examination. The supplementary assignment must be submitted to the teacher within two weeks after the grade Fail has been given to the student.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

60 Credits at a Bachelor Program of Fine Arts in Music and passed proficiency test assessing musical knowledge and skills.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

The student is required to have his/her own instrument (except for keyboard or percussion instruments).

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Reading list and other learning resources

Additional Reading

Baker, David (1990)
Modern Concepts in Jazz Improvisation
Los Angeles:Alfred Music Publishing, ISBN/ISSN: 978-07-39-02907-7, 144 sidor

Berliner, Paul F. (1994)
Thinking in jazz: the infinite art of improvisation
Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Cooke, Mervyn & Horn, David, ed. (2002)
The Cambridge companion to jazz
Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press

Holmqvist, Mulle (2010)
The reference rhythm method
Stockholm : Mulle Holmqvist, ISBN/ISSN: 978-91-979203-0-8, 70 sidor

Monson, Ingrid (1996)
Saying something: jazz improvisation and interaction
Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Stenström, Harald (2009)
Free ensemble improvisation
Göteborg : Faculty of Fine, Applied and Performing Arts, Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg, ISBN/ISSN: 978-91-977757-8-6, 370 sidor

Additions and Comments on the Reading List

Teacher-compiled material is also used throughout the course.

Music Theory, 7,5 Credits

Required Reading

Bengtsson, Ola (2000)
Jazzarrangering för medelstora ensembler och rytmsektion
Stockholm : Kungliga musikhögskolan, cop., 75 sidor, pp. 28-42

Bengtsson, Ola 1994-1997
Jazz harmoni: För komposition, analys och improvisation. Vol I och II
Bromma: Benola cop, pp. 1-35

Palmqvist, Bengt-Olov (2008)
The refinement of rhythm. Vol. 2.
Täby : Mediako, ISBN/ISSN: 978-91-976805-1-6, 230 sidor, pp. 113-156

Pease, Ted & Pullig, Ken (2001)
Modern jazz voicings : arranging for small and medium ensembles
Boston, Mass. : Berklee Press, ISBN/ISSN: 0-634-01443-9, 134 sidor