USC
University of Southern California
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Courses of Instruction

Jazz Studies (MUJZ)

100xm Jazz: A History of America’s Music (4) Gateway to the minor in Jazz Studies. Historical evolution of jazz from its origins to present day; elements of musical structures and jazz styles revealed though the study of recorded examples, live performances and video. Not available for credit to jazz studies majors.

101x Non-Major Beginning Individual Instruction (1-2, max 2, FaSpSm) Individual instruction at the beginning level designed for non-music majors with no previous experience. Not available for credit to music majors.

105ab Jazz Theory (2-2, FaSp) Study of basic and advanced concepts of jazz melody, harmony and form. Includes functional chord idioms and relationships, compositional and improvisational devices, and song forms.

141ab Basic Keyboard Skills for the Improviser (2-2, FaSp) Reading skills related to jazz accompanying, including the ability to identify and play chords on the piano utilizing different voicings.

142ab Jazz Ear Training (2-2, FaSp) Sight-singing and melodic/rhythmic reading and dictation applied to jazz repertoire. Includes vocalization of scales and chord patterns and study of rhythmic reading and jazz articulation.

150x Beginning Jazz Improvisation (2, max 4, FaSp) Development of beginning improvisational skills, including modal and the ii-V7-I chord progression, through instrumental performance. Recommended to non-jazz majors. Not available for jazz studies majors. Recommended preparation: demonstration of major scales of eighth notes at a tempo of 120 mm.

153 Individual Instruction (1, 2, or 4, max 8, FaSpSm) (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 153.)

180 Techniques of Jazz Improvisation (2, max 4) Development of improvisational skills through instrumental performance. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 180.)

195 Jazz Elements I (2, max 8, FaSp) Study of compositional, improvisational, performance, and arranging elements found in jazz. Students will model influential groups and jazz artists. Concurrent enrollment: MUJZ 196.

196 Jazz Combo I (2, max 8, FaSp) Rehearsal and performance of literature for jazz chamber groups. Graded CR/NC. (Duplicates credit in MUEN 332.) Concurrent enrollment: MUJZ 195.

200ab Jazz Styles Analysis (2-2) Theoretical skills and analytical techniques related to jazz styles from Dixieland to the present. a: Styles through Progressive Swing; b: Bebop to the present. (Duplicates credit in former MUCO 200ab.)

218ab Afro-Latin Percussion Instruments (2-2) Instruction in the performance of percussion instruments associated with African, South American, and Caribbean music traditions, with special emphasis on adaptation to jazz music. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 218ab.)

252 Individual Instrument Performance Class I (1, max 4, FaSp) Solo and orchestra repertoire, professional preparation, reed making, and other matters appropriate to group study. Required of all first and second year wind and percussion majors each semester in residence. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 252.)

253 Individual Instruction (1, 2, or 4, max 8, FaSpSm) (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 253.)

286ab The History of Jazz (3-3, FaSp) A study of the evolution of American jazz music from its roots in Africa to the present day. Includes an introduction to world music elements. Prerequisite: MUJZ 105b, MUJZ 142b.

300x Non-Major Individual Instruction (1-2, max 16, FaSpSm) Intermediate and advanced instruction designed for non-music majors. Not available for credit to music majors. (Duplicates credit in former MUJZ 201 and MUJZ 401.)

301 Individual Instruction (1-2, max 16, FaSpSm) Intermediate and advanced instruction: secondary emphasis for music majors, principal emphasis for music minors and B.A. music majors. Open only to music majors and minors. (Duplicates credit in former MUJZ 201 and MUJZ 401.)

305ab Advanced Jazz Theory (2-2, FaSp) Analysis and transcription of jazz performances and scores, encompassing questions of style, form, harmonic and melodic language, and considerations of rhythm. Prerequisite: MUJZ 105b, MUJZ 142b.

311 Vocal Jazz Techniques (2, max 4) Development of skills needed for the professional vocal jazz musician. Study of the standard jazz repertoire, vocal improvisation, lead sheet writing, and working with rhythm sections. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 311.) Prerequisite: MUJZ 180 or departmental approval.

341 Keyboard Skills for Improvisers (2) Reading skills related to jazz accompanying; “fake” books, chord progressions commonly used in jazz. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 341.) Prerequisite: MPKS 250ab or departmental approval.

342ab Aural Skills for Improvisers (1-1, FaSp) Sight-singing and dictation applied to jazz repertoire. Vocalization of modal and synthetic jazz scales and chordal qualities. (Duplicates credit in former MUCO 342ab.) Prerequisite: MUCO 132b.

347 Jazz Composition (2, max 4) Composing in the jazz medium. (Duplicates credit in former MUCO 347.)

353 Individual Instruction (1, 2, or 4, max 8, FaSpSm) (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 353.)

390 Special Problems (1-4, Irregular) Supervised, individual studies. No more than one registration permitted. Enrollment by petition only. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 390.)

395 Jazz Elements II (2, max 8, FaSp) Advanced study of compositional, improvisational, performance, conducting, and arranging elements found in the jazz repertory. Students will be encouraged to forge individual musical expressions. Open to juniors and seniors only. Prerequisite: MUJZ 195;concurrent enrollment: MUJZ 396.

396 Jazz Combo II (2, max 8, FaSp) Preparation and performance of literature for jazz combos. Open to juniors and seniors only. Graded CR/NC. Prerequisite: MUJZ 195;concurrent enrollment: MUJZ 395.

400 Arranging for Jazz Ensemble (2) Scoring for jazz ensemble with emphasis on writing for sections of like and mixed instruments as well as full ensemble. (Duplicates credit in former MUCO 400.)

403 Studio Singing Techniques (2, FaSp) Study of technique, theory and aural skills as applied to studio singing; critical listening; study of various styles; ear training and sight singing as these apply to working in a studio. Recommended preparation: jazz background; can read music and sing well.

419m The Jazz Experience: Myths and Culture (4, FaSp) An examination of the music, culture, and mythology of jazz revealed through the study of jazz fiction, film, poetry, and recorded examples. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 419m.)

443 Jazz Pedagogy (2, 2 years, Sp) Concepts, methods, and resources; examination and comparison of textbooks, recordings, tapes, and materials related to the study and teaching of jazz. (Duplicates credit in former MUED 443.)

451 Advanced Jazz Improvisation (2, max 4, Sp) Development of advanced improvisational skills, including Lydian-chromatic and bi-modal techniques, through instrumental performance. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 451.) Junior standing.

452 Individual Instrument Performance Class II (1, max 4, FaSp) Solo and orchestra repertoire, professional preparation, reed making, and other matters appropriate to group study. Required of all third and fourth year wind and percussion majors each semester in residence. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 452.)

453 Individual Instruction (1, 2, or 4, max 8, FaSpSm) (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 453.)

486 Jazz Masters from World War II to the Present (2) Examination of major jazz artists from World War II to the present with emphasis on the innovators of each period. Detailed analysis of selected repertoire. (Duplicates credit in former MUHL 486.) Recommended preparation: MUJZ 419.

490x Directed Research (2-8, max 8, FaSpSm) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 490x.)

499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8) Selected topics of current interest. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 499.)

501 Individual Instruction (1 or 2, max 8, FaSpSm) Secondary instruction for graduate music majors or instruction for graduate non-music majors.

545 Jazz Ensemble Development (2, 2 years, Sp) Techniques, approaches, teaching materials, and music useful in developing jazz ensembles in educational settings, from junior high school through college. (Duplicates credit in former MUED 547.)

547 Jazz Composition (2, max 4, Fa) Application of theoretical and compositional techniques used in jazz to written music. Analysis and performance of historical and contemporary examples will be included. (Duplicates credit in former MUCO 547.)

551 Graduate Jazz Improvisation (2, Sp) Development of proficiency in improvising to advanced jazz concepts, including transposition, substitute harmony, superimposed harmony, atypical harmonic schemes and contemporary chord and scale types. Open to jazz studies and studio guitar majors only. Prerequisite: MUJZ 451.

553 Individual Instruction (1, 2, or 4, max 8, FaSpSm) (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 553.)

554 Graduate Certificate Performance (4, max 16, FaSpSm) Individual instruction and related lab participation for Graduate Certificate students.

588 Special Studies in Jazz Performance (2, max 6) Performance problems, composers and/or stylistic analysis of music from the jazz idiom. Specific emphasis to be determined by the Jazz Studies department. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 588.)

590 Directed Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 590.)

653 Performance (1, 2, or 4, max 12, FaSpSm) Individual or master class instruction for D.M.A. Performance majors. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 653.)

688 Special Topics in Jazz Performance (2, max 4, Fa) Examination and analysis of solo and compositional repertory of the jazz idiom through transcription and comparative research. Specific emphasis to be determined by the Jazz Studies department. (Duplicates credit in former MUPF 688.)

790 Research (1-12) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.