MUSTH 370: Jazz Techniques and Arranging
Professor Ryan Keberle
ryan@ryankeberle.com
Prerequisites: MUSTH 221, MUSTH 331, or permission of the instructor.
Required materials: 1. Mark Levine: The Jazz Theory Book. Petaluma, CA: Sher Music/Advance
Music, 1995.
2. Israels, Chuck. Exploring Jazz Arranging. Orcas, WA: Garritan Corp., 2007
3. A pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, manuscript paper, and access to the internet.
Course Objective: This course will focus on providing an understanding of jazz and commercial
music theory necessary to one’s success as a professional musician in the 21st century. More
specifically, this includes principles of jazz and commercial chord and rhythmic notation, chord
structure, songwriting and the art of writing a melody, composition and arranging techniques, music
theory’s relationship with improvisation, music history, and music business.
Grading Policy: Grades will be based on the following: quizzes (non-cumulative) (20%), class
participation (10%), midterm exam (cumulative) (20%), assignments (20%), and final exam
(cumulative) (30%). Attendance of one live music performance and a short written review will be due
at the end of the semester, which will count as one quiz grade (to be discussed during the first class).
Assignments: There will be a reading and/or written assignment due at the beginning of each class.
The combined average of these assignments will account for 20% of your final grade. You will have
one opportunity to improve each graded assignment by making edits and resubmitting no later than the
beginning of the following class.
Attendance: Attendance is absolutely essential to succeeding in this class. Test and quiz material will
be based primarily on class lectures and listening done during class time. More than six (6) absences
will result in the loss of all class participation points, (10% of your grade), which will lower the grade
one full letter (A to B, B to C, etc…). Active participation in class lectures is strongly encouraged.
You are responsible for all material covered on days you are absent. Missed quizzes and exams will be
made up only in the case of documented emergency or severe illness. All students are expected to be
present for the final examination as scheduled by the Office of the Registrar. No exceptions.