MUS 37A – Page 1
Date Approved:
10/11/88
Date Scanned:
5/24/2005
Inactivated by Curriculum Committee 9/28/07__
College of the Redwoods
CREDIT COURSE OUTLINE
DEPARTMENT AND COURSE NUMBER: Music 37A
DEGREE APPLICABLE
NON-DEGREE APPLICABLE
FORMER NUMBER (If previously offered)
COURSE TITLE Beginning Jazz Improvisation
LECTURE HOURS: 0.5
LAB HOURS: 1.5
UNITS: 1.0
PREREQUISITE: None
Eligibility for: Engl 150
Math 105
Request for Exception Attached
CO-REQUISITE: None
GRADING STANDARD:
Letter Grade Only
TRANSFERABILITY:
CSUS
UC
Articulation with UC requested
Repeatable
yes
no
CR/NC Only
NONE
Max No. Units
Grade/CR/NC Option
Maximum Class Size 30
Max No. Enrollments
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Group instruction and practice in the basic techniques of improvisation. Utilizing the modal approach,
basic scales, rhythm patterns, melodic devices are explored. Starting with simple forms, class eventually
moves into repertoire used by the professional jazz musician.
NOTE:
COURSE OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES: List the primary instructional objectives of the class. Formulate
some of them in terms of specific measurable student accomplishments, e.g., specific knowledge and/or
skills to be attained as a result of completing this course. For degree-applicable courses, include
objectives in the area of “critical thinking.” Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to:
play scales and rhythms common to jazz performances, play a beginning repertoire of jazz
compositions (“Impressions,” “Carnival,” “Blue Bossa” and “12-Bar Blues”), and do simple analysis
of recorded jazz solos.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Introduction and practice policy
Modes and rhythms
Blues scale and riffs
Historical styles
Beginning repertoire
% of Classroom Hours Spent on Each Topic
10%
20%
20%
10%
40%
MUS 37A – Page 2
Date Approved:
10/11/88
Date Scanned:
5/24/2005
Inactivated by Curriculum Committee 9/28/07__
APPROPRIATE TEXTS AND MATERIALS: (Indicate textbooks that may be required or recommended,
including alternate texts that may be used.)
Text(s)
Title:
Improvisation Syllabus
Required
Edition:
(written by instructor)
Alternate
Author:
J. Moore
Recommended
Publisher: College of the Redwoods
Date Published: 1988
(Additional required, alternate, or recommended texts should be listed on a separate sheet and attached.)
For degree applicable courses the adopted texts have been certified to be college-level:
Yes. Basis for determination:
is used by two or more four-year colleges or universities (certified by the Division Chair or
Branch Coordinator, or Center Dean)
OR
has been certified by the LAC as being of college level using the Coleman and Dale-Chall
Readability Index Scale.
No. Request for Exception Attached
If no text or a below college level text is used in a degree applicable course must have a minimum of one
response in category 1, 2, or 3. If category 1 is not checked, the department must explain why substantial
writing assignments are an inappropriate basis for at least part of the grade.
1. Substantial writing assignments, including:
essay exam(s)
term or other paper(s)
written homework
reading report(s)
laboratory report(s)
other (specify) _____
If the course is degree applicable, substantial writing assignments in this course are inappropriate
because:
The course is primarily computational in nature.
The course primarily involves skill demonstrations or problem solving.
Other rationale (explain) __________________________________________
2. Computational or Non-computational problem-solving demonstrations, including:
exam(s)
quizzes
homework problems
laboratory report(s)
field work
other (specify) analysis
3. Skill demonstrations, including:
class performance(s)
other (specify)____
4. Objective examinations, including:
multiple choice
completion
field work
performance exam(s)
true/false
other (specify)
matching items
5. Other (specify) Participation in scheduled performances
NOTE: A course grade may not be based solely on attendance.
MUS 37A – Page 3
Date Approved:
10/11/88
Date Scanned:
5/24/2005
Inactivated by Curriculum Committee 9/28/07__
REQUIRED READING, WRITING, AND OTHER OUTSIDE OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
Over an 18-week presentation of the course, 3 hours per week are required for each unit of credit. ALL
Degree Applicable Credit classes must treat subject matter with a scope and intensity which require the
student to study outside of class. Two hours of independent work done out of class are required for each
hour of lecture. Lab and activity classes must also require some outside of class work. Outside of the
regular class time the students in this class will be doing the following:
Study
Answer questions
Skill practice
Required reading
Problem solving activity or exercise
Written work (essays/compositions/report/analysis/research)
Journal (reaction and evaluation of class, done on a continuing basis throughout the
semester)
Observation of or participation in an activity related to course content (e.g., play, museum,
concert, debate, meeting, etc.)
Field trips
Other (specify) Written analysis
COLLEGE LEVEL CRITICAL THINKING TASKS/ASSIGNMENTS:
Degree applicable courses must include critical thinking tasks/assignments. This section need not be
completed for non-degree applicable courses. Describe how the course requires students to
independently analyze, synthesize, explain, assess, anticipate and/or define problems, formulate and
assess solutions, apply principles to new situations, etc.
Students will analyze the improvisations of professional jazz musicians and apply concepts to their own
performances. Students will do comparisons of styles and individual artists.
REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION
The Curriculum Committee Is authorized to determine the appropriateness of entrance skills and
requisites for any given course; to determine whether or not language and/or computational skills at the
associate degree level are essential to success in a given course; to determine what is “college level” in
learning skills, vocabulary, and in the ability to think critically and apply concepts; and to determine on a
case-by-case basis when any departure from the attached guidelines may be justified.
This form may also be used to provide justification for making a course repeatable.
To request an exception, provide the following information:
Music 37A
Department and Course No.
Beginning Jazz Improvisation
Course Title
NATURE OF THE EXEPTION REQUESTED AND RATIONALE:
TEXT
MUS 37A – Page 4
Date Approved:
10/11/88
Date Scanned:
5/24/2005
Inactivated by Curriculum Committee 9/28/07__
This class is musical performance based with a concentration on skill development .