MUSP 2710 Advanced Improvisation

Name: Advanced Improvisation
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)

This course offers the advanced improvisor the opportunity to build higher order skills of improvisation in the jazz and rock idioms. While the course entails extensive instruction in music theory, the focus is on application of theoretical concepts to real-world improvisational contexts. The course outlines advanced concepts in melody-shaping, form/harmony, and musical style.

Course overview

Department: Music Performance
School: MCAS
Credits: 0
Level: Undergraduate
Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating: 5.00 / 5 · Excellent
5 responses
Instructor rating: 5.00 / 5 · Excellent
5 responses
Terms evaluated: 2
Most recent: Fall 2025

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
Term	Instructor	Course overall	Instructor overall	Well organized	Clear learning objectives	Intellectually challenging	Helpful assignments	Applicable beyond course	Attendance necessary	Weekly effort	Responses
Fall 2025	Eric Kniffin	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	1–3 hrs/week	1 of 2
Spring 2025	Eric Kniffin	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	4.8	5.0	5.0	—	4 of 4

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Eric Kniffin
Spring 2027, Fall 2026, Spring 2026, Fall 2025, Spring 2025 · Official rating 5.00/5

Sections

Section 01
Spring 2027 · Eric Kniffin · Lyons Hall 409 M 08:00PM-08:50PM · Offered
Section 01
Fall 2026 · Eric Kniffin · Lyons Hall 409 M 08:00PM-08:50PM · Offered