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

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student is expected to

• describe and account for repertoire in the jazz/pop field
• perform music with stylistic awareness in different ensemble forms within the jazz/pop fields
• perform on their main instrument with adequate technical and artistic skills in relation to the level of the course
• produce musical arrangements on a basic level for a medium sized jazz/pop ensemble
• by ear follow and describe music in various repertoire areas with respect to melody, harmony, rhythm and structure
• translate common terminology and notation practices within both traditional and graphic notation into their own musical creation and describe group dynamic processes from an ensemble perspective
• reflect on their learning and reason about strategies for further development
• describe and reflect on the possibilites and limitations with traditional notation and graphic notation in relation to sounding reality.

Content

Instrument, 7,5 Credits

Proficiency training in instrument/voice, focusing on 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.

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.

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

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

Comment on examination forms
Completion for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that the student who has not passed the examination may undertake supplementary assignments instead of resitting the exam. The supplementary assignment must be submitted to the teacher within two weeks from when 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

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

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-produced 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