INSTRUCTOR: Jacob Wise

Jazz Combo/Ensemble: MUEN - 1137-001

HOW TO REACH THE INSTRUCTOR:

Email: Phone/Text:  Office Hours:

jacob.wise@austincc.edu (512) 466 – 0200 TBA

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a jazz combo (jazz small group) with a focus on theory and improvisaiton. We will focus on learning and memorizing jazz standards, as well as improvisation over the changes to these standards. Each class will incorporate a section focusing on jazz theory (both written and applied), including scales, arpeggios, and jazz patterns.

STUDENT EVALUATION:

Grading will be based on attendance, participation, and preparation.

GRADING: There will be 10 homework assigments, each worth 5 points (5x10=50).

Each homework assignment will be due before the start of class (no later than 11AM on Friday, the day the class meets).

The homework may take different forms. Written theory homework, or recording audio/video of a tune and my written exercises, or both.

Theory Homework - usually written scales/arpeggios in several keys.

Tune Homework- Using the backing track provided, 1) play the melody of the tune assigned. 2) play at least one written out improv example from my "textbook" on that tune. 3) Play and record a solo (minimum 32 bars) on the changes of the tune, using the concepts I've discussed. Optional - show me notation for your solo.

ATTENDANCE: There are no excused absences. Each missed class is -5 points from your final grade.

NOTES ON ATTENDANCE / PARTICIPATION

This is the most important element of ensemble practice. If students attend every rehearsal/class, and practice their assigned material, they will improve! Perfect attendance (no unexcused absences) is essential to receive an "A". Students are expected to attend all rehearsals.

Excused absences include the following: course-related field trips; illness that is documented by a doctor’s note; death or serious illness in the immediate family as verified by someone other than the student; appearance in court; co-curricular and extracurricular activities recognized and/or sponsored by the College; or another extraordinary reason as deemed appropriate by me. Unexcused absences will result in a much lower grade.

PRACTICE ROUTINE: A regular, disciplined practice routine is vital for making musical progress. 

A consistent 60-90 minute daily practice plan will enable you to progress rapidly. A healthy practice routine might look something like this:

Reading music (classical scale exercises, rhythms, etudes) – 15 min.

Scales (1 key per day, all positions and patterns) – 15 min.

Arpeggios (1 key per day, all fingerings/positions) – 15 min.

Chords (7th chords around cycle of 4ths, and II-V-Is) – 15 min.

Practicing tunes (Learn melody, chords, scales and arpeggios) – 30 min.

Listening/Transcribing – as much time as possible!

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records. Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Incompletes

An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than thefinal deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at

http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

ACADEMIC FREEDOM: Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon a free search for truth and its free expression. Hence it is essential that faculty members at Austin Community College be free to pursue scholarly inquiry without unreasonable restriction, and to voice and publish their conclusions without fear of institutional censorship or discipline. They must be free from the possibility that others of differing vision, either inside or outside the college community, may threaten their professional careers.

The concept of academic freedom in Austin Community College is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility, shared by the Board of Trustee, administration, and faculty members.

The essential responsibilities of the Board of Trustees and administrators regarding academic freedom are set forth in the Criteria For Accreditation, adopted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as updated and revised.

In the classroom or in college-produced telecommunications, faculty members should strive to be accurate, to exercise appropriate restraint, and to show respect for the opinions of others. In addition, instructors should be judicious in the use of material and should introduce only material that has a clear relationship to the subject field.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of

Approved Accommodations’ from the student.

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.

Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is

available at http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/

Safety Statement

Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at

http://www.austincc.edu/ehs.

Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

Testing Center Policy

Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center. Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam. To

request an exam, one must have:

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ï‚· Course Abbreviation

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ï‚· Instructor's Name

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ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available at:

http://www.austincc.edu/s4/

Links to many student services and other information can be found at:

http://www.austincc.edu/current/

ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:

http://www.autincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php

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Not mandatory, but suggested. I will provide handouts.

Patterns For Jazz - Jerry Coker

The Jazz Language - Dan Haerle

Voicing Skills for Jazz Piano - Dan Haerle

The Real Book Vol. 1 - Hal Leonard

Syncopation - Ted Reed

Teaching Rhythm - Joel Rothman

Goals:

Theory: Both written and played (memorized)

Spelling scales/arpeggios

Learn chord-scale relationships: major, dominant, minor chords and functions

II V I progression and appropriate scales

Blues progression and appropriate scales

Diatonic chords – major keys (and related modes)

Learning tunes:

12-15 tunes

Elements: melody, chords, scales, arpeggios, improv ideas, original recording

Listening:

Landmark/essential recordings, players, style period (chronology/history)

How to listen to a tune: form, focusing on drums, bass, piano, melody, solos, phrasing, etc.

Rhythm:

Reading jazz rhythms in 4/4- Metronome on 1234 or 2+4

Students will learn several (6-12) jazz standards, and gain proficiency in improvising over their chord progressions.

Students will learn the basic elements of jazz improvisation (scales/arpeggios/patterns) and be able to play them in several keys.

Students will learn how to practice jazz tunes and break them down into a variety of practice elements/routines.