MUSA 3114 Jazz Harmony and Improvisation
This music theory course will focus on the study of chord structures, chord substitutions, chord scales, composition, and improvisation as they have been codified by contemporary jazz musicians. The technical innovations in the music of Sonny Rollins, Thelonius Monk, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis will be analyzed and discussed. Special attention will be placed on learning how to improvise on the great standards of the jazz repertory. Additional studies will include the following: piano lead sheet arrangements; ii-V-I keyboard harmony, re-harmonization, and composing original tunes based on chord structures of standards by Berlin, Kern, Gershwin; rhythm changes; and the blues.
Course overview
- Department
- Music Academic
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- MUSA2100
Requirements fulfilled
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.25 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.56 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 4
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | Thomas Lee | 3.3 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.7 | — | 3 of 6 |
| Fall 2023 | Thomas Lee | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 of 6 |
| Fall 2022 | Thomas Lee | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 4 of 6 |
| Fall 2021 | Thomas Lee | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 4 of 8 |