2014 - 2015
M W 2:45 – 4:00
Music 459
Materials and Principals of Jazz Improvisation 1
Instructor: Pheeroan Aklaff
E-Mail: aklaff1@gmail.com
Phone: 917 561 5298
Classroom: RH 003
Overview
Source Materials
Ensemble techniques, personal musicality, and creative expression will be
explored in class and demonstrated through discussion, review and public
campus performance
Selected scores, media, audio files
web links, and class handouts.
Goals
Prescience in the approach to music performance. The display and synthesis of
symbolism within African –American song forms using improvisation
Confidence in communication through performance.
Requirements
Class participation. Research and discussion of findings. Written composition.
Final performance.
Important Dates
October 19,21, 26
Sectionals
November 12
Sectionals with T/A
November20
Performance in Crowell
Evaluation
Grading is based on progress made on an individual basis and the overall
maturation of the ensemble demonstrated in class.
Classroom Materials
Required texts; Black Talk by Ben Sidran and A Call To Assembly by Willie Ruff
Suggested reference reading: Musicophelia by Oliver Sacks, Music and Spirituality by Pheeroan akLaff, Rhythm Units by Leo Smith
Black Binders and plastic sleeves for organizing performance repertoire
Drawing pencils, manuscript paper and notebook paper
Periodicals, newspaper articles, and links to current publications upon request
Procedures
Instrument tuning at 2:45. Late arrival or absence must be requested and may be considered absence or compromise in grade.
No cell phone use in class
Week one: Wednesday September 2nd
Materials and Principals of Jazz Improvisation 1
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Residual auditions. Syllabus review. Repertoire review*
Composition prompts: Instrument functions. Tonal center. Tonal steps. Thematic structures.
Week two: Monday September 7th
Students present findings from composition prompts of week one.
Wednesday September 9th
Evoking Musical Imagery: Literature, Lexicons. Scales, Tone Rows
Week three: Monday 14th
Students present findings from composition prompts of week one and two.
Wednesday September 16th
Researching African –American music and diaspora residual approaches to communication and composition
Discussion and question / answer quiz on chapter one of Black Talk.
Week four:
Monday
Class presents individual discoveries using themes from week 1-3
Wednesday 21st
In class rehearsals begin of selected works to be performed.
Hand outs for reading and discussion of specific regional styles of Jazz emanating from U.S. cities, Europe, Russia, Japan, and India 1920 - 1969
Week five:
Monday 23rd
Class presents and discusses student compositions with themes discussed in week 1-4
Wednesday 25th
Discussion / Quiz on applicable chapters in Black Talk, and Introduction of Call To Assembly.
Week six:
Monday September 28 research
Wednesday September 30 present. * October 3rd field trip Brooklyn Academy of Music NYC
Week seven:
Monday October 5th Class present original compositions and selected material
Wednesday October 7th Class research
Week eight:
Monday October 12th Class present
Wednesday October 14th
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Week nine:
Monday October 19 Sectional rehearsals
Wednesday October 21 Sectional rehearsals
Week ten:
October 26 fall break
October 28 Sectional rehearsals
Week eleven:
Monday November 2 present
Wednesday November 4 rehearse
Week twelve:
Monday November 9 rehearse and present
Wednesday November 11 rehearse and present
Rehearsals for November 20th performance
Monday November 16th Wednesday November 18th Thursday November 19th
THEMES FOR 2015-2016
Exploring music in the social context. Important listening samples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUqARhh7q58 Detroit Count
https://youtu.be/lQZZ_gp8dos
Choqi-town Oro
https://rawrhymes.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/raw-rhymes-episode-5/ Tavi
https://youtu.be/CCBR6WVdp_o --Ben Sidran
https://youtu.be/z3qXILIfPuw Wayne – Endangered species
For the November 20 performance Crowell- *we will play Endangered Species and Hastings Street Opera and selections based on class
preparedness. We will play at least one of each student’s class related composition.
Elements of ensemble Rhythm Section function will be refined each week with rehearsals
Visual, movement, and literary arts elements will be integrated into composition/performances.
Syllabus updates to augment class material including the clips below, will be continually updated.
You may also e-mail me at paklaff@wesleyan.edu prior to registration.
Auditions on Monday September 7th in RH 003 11am – 2pm If you have auditioned previously you may register online and obtain a POI
without auditioning.
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