MCCCD Program Description

Jazz Combo

Course: MUP183

First Term: 2021 Fall

Lec + Lab 1.0 Credit(s) 2.0 Period(s) 2.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: T- Lab Load

Description: Jazz Combo participation provides an opportunity for students to develop improvisational skills in a variety of styles from historical and contemporary jazz practice, while offering a creative outlet for composers and arrangers.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Demonstrate stylistically appropriate instrumental and vocal techniques to jazz music repertoire. (I, II, II, IV) 2. Build a repertoire of diverse styles of jazz music. (I, II) 3. Apply harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic strategies to spontaneous improvisations in solo and small group arrangements. (III, IV) 4. Demonstrate performance and improvisation concepts and strategies derived from historically and/or stylistically significant examples. (I, II, III, IV) 5. Apply jazz combo rehearsal techniques during rehearsals. (II, IV) 6. Build sight reading strategies and techniques through reading jazz music. (I, II, III) 7. Perform in small groups. (II, III, IV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Jazz stylistic periods A. Traditional jazz B. Swing C. Bebop D. Cool jazz E. Hard bop F. Modal jazz G. Avant-Garde "Free" Jazz H. Fusion I. Modern (post-80s) styles and current trends II. Repertoire A. Stylistic traits of jazz genres B. Melodic interpretation C. Lyric interpretation D. Form and related terminology E. Chord progression recognition and analysis F. Chord-scale relationships III. Improvisation A. Instrumental fluency B. Melodic development C. Rhythmic development D. Pacing E. Contrast F. Emotional content G. Presentation IV. Combo rehearsal technique A. Instrumental roles B. Interaction of single-note instruments and vocalists with rhythm section C. Comping techniques 1. Orchestration of drum kit 2. Piano and guitar voicings and rhythmic vocabulary 3. Supportive bass lines a. Walking bass line construction b. Bassline formats including Latin patterns, broken feels 4. Interaction with improvisation D. Preparation/practice for rehearsal 1. Active listening to stylistic or historically significant recordings 2. Transcription of stylistic or historically significant recordings 3. Repertoire memorization 4. Preparing to improvise E. Arranging in combo settings 1. 2- to 5-part horn voicings 2. Melodic fills (obligato) between phrases of the melody 3. Background figures F. Active listening while performing G. Critical reflection on performance H. Performance practices

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 23, 2021

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.