MUSL 1327 Jazz to Rock
Mr. Ruben Gutierrez
FOX FAM #302
rgutier@utep.edu
T.A. info TBA
Course Description: A History of American popular music focusing on the development of Jazz and Rock music.
Textbook: Jazz Basics: A Brief Overview With Historical Documents and Recordings
by James Shearer
Kendall Hunt Pub; Book & CD
ISBN: 0787295558
Goals: Expose students to history of American popular music. Students will have a general understanding on how
popular culture in the United States affects the success of popular musicians and artists.
Objectives: Spawn interest, and give students an overview of music in America.
Additional Materials: Other class information will be made available through internet web address TBA. Materials will
include scheduled music performances and supplements to lectures and textbook.
Class Schedule:
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
WEEK3
WEEK
WEEK
WEEK
WEEK
4
5
6
7
WEEK 8
WEEK 9
WEEK 10
WEEK
WEEK
WEEK
WEEK
WEEK
11
12
13
14
15
(All extra
Notes:
Introduction. Basic Musical elements, Instrumentation, Formal Structures. Improvisation and Swing.
Blues and other musical precursors of Jazz.
American Popular music of the 1920’s. Early Jazz, New Techniques and key musicians of the era.
American Popular Music of the 1930’s. Swing Era, Big Band
WWII Swing Era Continues.
Quiz #1
Bebop. New techniques and key musicians of the era
Jazz in the 1950’s Cool, Hard Bop, Mainstream
Late 1950’s Early 1960’s. Miles Davis John Coltrane
New Trends outside Mainstream Free Jazz Avant-Garde
Quiz #2
Rhythm and Blues. Early development of Rock and roll. Rock and Roll Era 1954-58
Early 1960’s. R&B/Soul, British invasion, Folk-rock and other hybrids.
Late 1960’s Protest and Politics, Woodstock, Psychedelic Rock and Blues Revival.
Quiz #3
Advancement in Technology in the recording studio. Early Jazz/Rock fusion and other hybrids.
Into the 1970’s Singers and Songwriters, Rock Epics, Disco and pop culture
1980’s MTV, Visual Media,1990’s and beyond
Pulp and Pop culture, Advertisements, philosophies of fame and fortune.
Review Final Quiz
Quiz #4
credit is due on dead day)
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Know your UTEP I.D. number.
All tests require a ‘scantron’ (green letter-size) and #2 pencil. Student is ultimately responsible for these
materials and no exceptions will be made, including but not limited to, leaving the room after the test is
administered. Given the volume of material covered and size of the class only under extreme situations
will make-up exams be given.
Attendance will be taken at random throughout the semester. Three absences will lower your final grade
one letter grade. You will be dropped from the class after the sixth absence.
Extra credit will be available throughout the semester at approved musical concert performances. Each
performance will require proof (to be explained in class), and a one page synopsis of the experience.
Each performance will count as one point towards final grade (10 Maximum).
Given the nature of the course instructor asks participation should, at the very least, consist of absorbed
focus during class time. Disruptions (Talking to neighbor, cell phone ringing, etc…), will not be tolerated
and you will be asked to leave the forum.
Grading
All exams will be weighted equally to determine your final grade