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MUS 310
ARRANGING
3 Credit Hours
9:30 a.m. - TR
Instructor: Prof. Christopher Kozak
Moody Music Building, Media Classroom
205-348-6333, 205-348-1473 (fax)
ckozak@music.ua.edu
Prerequisite: MUS 117 or permission of instructor
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is founded on the basic fundamentals of jazz arranging.
The curriculum will cover 4-part writing, harmonic practices,
philosophies of arranging, etc.
COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
To introduce, practice and develop basic jazz arranging skills
for the small jazz combos (septet).
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration: A Concise
Introduction, Leslie M. Sabina. Schirmer/Thompson Learning: Belmont California, 2002.
Blank staff paper (10 stave)
Blank score paper
Floppy disks (1.4 mg HD)
ASSIGNMENTS & PROJECTS:
Weekly assignments and readings will be given as new material
is introduced in class. Assignments will be due the next class
time and discussed in depth. Students may sign up for time
in the Improvisation Lab and the Media Classroom to work on
assignments using Finale. Finale will be reviewed during class
time. Assignments are to be saved to floppy disk (Enigma Transportable
File - ETF) and brought to the next class for review. The student
will be responsible for 2 projects for this course.
| PROJECT #1 |
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| Instrumentation: |
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trombone, Piano,
Bass, & Drums |
| Requirements: |
The student is responsible for completing a 'head' arrangement
of a jazz standard (swing style) to be chosen from a list
provided by the Professor. "Head" arrangement
means a completely harmonized melody utilizing 2, 3, & 4-part
writing techniques as discussed in class. The form of the
arrangement shall be Intro-Melody-Solo Section (improvisation)-Melody-Outro.
Objective of this project is to solidify student's grasp
of basic voicing techniques. Parts and score to be transposed. |
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| PROJECT #2 |
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| Instrumentation: |
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trombone, Piano,
Bass, & Drums |
| Requirements: |
The student is responsible for completing an entire arrangement
of a jazz standard (swing style) to be chosen from a list
provided by the Professor. The student has the option of
using the tune from Project #1. "Entire" arrangement
means a complete arrangement utilizing all materials covered
in class. The form of the arrangement shall be Intro-Melody-Solo
Section (improvisation) with backgrounds-Shout Section-Melody-Outro.
Objective of this assignment is to complete a performable
arrangement to be submitted for possible performance on
a jazz concert at the School of Music. Parts and score
to be transposed. |
EXAMINATIONS:
There will be a mid-term and a final examination (comprehensive
of the entire semester). The purpose of the examinations is
to verify that the students comprehend the techniques and principles
taught in class and can readily apply them in a short period
of time. There will be quizzes throughout the semester.
GRADING PROCEDURES & POLICIES:
Assessment of the student's work is based on the following
criteria:
- Comprehension and command of material covered in the course.
- Command of terminology.
- Overall development of ideas (unity and direction) within
arrangement.
- Success of read-down sessions.
- Punctuality of assignments and projects.
- For every day past the deadline, the grade will be lowered
one letter grade.
GRADING SYSTEM:
The student's final grade will be drawn from grades received for each component
of the course:
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Grades: |
| Assignments |
20% |
95%-100% = A |
| Quizzes |
10% |
90%-94% = A- |
| Project 1 (septet) |
10% |
86%-89% = B+ |
| Project 2 (octet) |
20% |
82%-85% = B |
| Mid-Term Exam. |
20% |
79%-81% = B- |
| Final Exam. |
20% |
75%-78% = C+ |
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71%-74% = C |
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68%-70% = C- |
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64%-67% = D+ |
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60%-63% = D |
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57%-59% = D- |
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0%-56% = F |
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance of all classes and recording sessions is expected.
Three absences from class will result in lowering the final grade
by one letter. Any extenuating circumstances must be immediately
discussed with Tom Wolfe. There will not be any make-up quizzes
or examinations.
COURSE OUTLINE:
This is subject to change. Dependent on the progress of the
class, the time-line may be changed.
| Classes |
Class Topics |
Project & Quiz Schedule |
| Week 1/2: |
Introduction to Arranging & Syllabus
Review.
The Lead Sheet.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 1-9. |
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| Week 2/1: |
The Lead Sheet: Jazz Harmony.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp.
1-9. |
Pass out list of tunes for Projects 1 & 2. |
| Week 2/2: |
The Lead Sheet: Jazz Harmony continued.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 1-9.
Assignment: Exercises 1-8 (pp. 10-13) Due next class. |
Quiz #1 |
| Week 3/1: |
The Lead Sheet: Jazz Rhythm.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 1-9. |
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| Week 3/2: |
The Lead Sheet: Jazz Rhythm continued.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 1-9.
Assignment: Exercises 9 & 10 (pp.
13-15) Due next class. |
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| Week 4/1: |
Introduction to Finale: Creating a document;
note input; chord input. |
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| Week 4/2: |
Introduction to Finale continued: Creating a document;
note input; chord input.
Assignment: TBA |
Submit Project #1 tune choice for approval. |
| Week 5/1: |
The Jazz Band: Saxophones, Trumpet, & Trombone.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 16-21.
Assignment: Exercises 1-3 (pp. 32-33) Due next class. |
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| Week 5/2: |
The Jazz Band: The Rhythm Section.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 23-29. |
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| Week 6/1: |
General Voicing Techniques.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 35-45. |
Quiz #2 |
| Week 6/2: |
General Voicing Techniques continued.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 35-45.
Assignment: Exercises 1 & 4-6
(pp. 47-48) Due next class |
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| Week 7/1: |
Approach Techniques.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 104-108.
Assignment: Exercise 1 (p. 109) Due next class. |
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| Week 7/2: |
Approach Techniques continued.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 104-108.
Assignment: Exercise 1 (p. 109) Due next class. |
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| Week 8/1: |
4-Part Voicing Techniques continued.
Assignment: TBA |
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| Week 8/2: |
Mid-Term Examination |
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| Week 9/1: |
Individual meetings with Professor to discuss
Project #1.
Schedule: TBA. |
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| Week 9/2: |
Individual meetings with Professor to discuss
Project #1.
Schedule: TBA. |
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| Week 10/1: |
Formal Units.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 111-115. |
Project #1 Due: Parts & Score. |
| Week 10/2: |
Formal Units continued.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 111-115.
Assignment: Exercises 1-3 (p. 116) Due next class |
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| Week 11/1: |
Formal Planning.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 117-121.
Assignment: Exercises 1-3 (p. 122) Due next class. |
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| Week 11/2: |
Individual meetings with Professor to discuss
Project #2: Formal Plan of arrangement.
Schedule: TBA. |
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| Week 12/1: |
Compositional Elements in Arranging.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 123-132. |
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| Week 12/2: |
Compositional Elements in Arranging continued.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 123-132.
Assignment: Exercises 1-4 (p. 133) Due next class. |
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| Week 13/1: |
Background Material.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 134-140. |
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| Week 13/2: |
Background Material continued.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 134-140.
Assignment: Exercises 1-4 (pp. 141-142) Due next class. |
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| Week 14/1: |
Composing for Formal Units.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 143-158. |
Quiz #3 |
| Week 14/2: |
Composing for Formal Units continued.
Jazz Arranging & Orchestration, Sabina, pp. 143-158.
Assignment: Exercise 1 (p. 159) Due next class. |
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| Week 15/1: |
Individual meetings with Professor to discuss
Project #2.
Schedule: TBA. |
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| Week 16/1: |
Record Project #2. |
Project #2 Due: Parts & Score. |
| Week 16/2: |
Record Project #2 continued. |
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PERSONAL CONDUCT:
It is hoped that students participating in this course will
be challenged to achieve their full potential. At the same
time, we are committed to providing a non-threatening learning
environment. No conduct, which may be regarded as harassing
as defined in the University of Alabama's stated policy will
be tolerated.
To request disability accommodations, please contact Disabilities
Services (348-4285). After initial arrangements are made with
that office, contact the instructor.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
| Improvising Jazz |
Jerry Coker |
| Complete Method for Improvisation |
Jerry Coker |
| How to Listen to Jazz |
Jerry Coker |
| Patterns for Jazz |
Jerry Coker |
| The Jazz Language |
Dan Haerle |
| A New Approach to Ear Training for Jazz Musicians |
David Baker |
| A New Approach to Jazz Improvisation |
Jamey Aebersold |
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