Intro to Jazz Theory - 7500:151:001

FALL Semester 2016 (3 credit hours)

Tuesday/ Thursday: 9:00- 10:30
Professor: Dillon Shidemantle; Office: 317 GH; Phone: (814) 573-8085; e-mail:
dls226@zips.uakron.edu; Office Hours: Tues 1:00-3:00; Wed 2:00-3:00; Fri 10:00-12:00

Course Description:
Introducing jazz theory through basic musical concepts such as scales, harmonies, styles,
modes, etc.
Prerequisites: MUS 100, MUS 101, and MUS 115.
Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Write and spell out chords from any jazz chord symbol
Write and spell out scales and modes used in this course
Apply this scales, modes, and triads to the correct jazz chord symbol
Discuss and analyze standard jazz forms and the progressions that follow
Demonstrate major and minor ii-V-I progressions
Apply said chords, scales, and modes to their playing

Material Requirements:

The Real Book, 6th Edition published by Hal Leonard.

The Jazz Theory Book, by Mark Levine. Published by SherMusicCo.
The Jazz Language, by Dan Haerle. Published by Warner Brothers Publications. (Not
Required, but highly Recommended)

Course Requirements and Grading:

Five Listening Logs.. 20%

In Class Participation.40%
Mid-Term.......20%
Final Exam.20%

90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%

A
B
C
D
F

Attendance Policy:
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Students are allowed to miss (2)
unexcused absences. Each absence after this will result in a lowering of grade. Tardiness will
also result in lowering of the final grade. BE ON TIME!

Content Outline:
See Calendar below for details

Assessment:
Five Listening Logs: will be from five different jazz composers in different time eras. For
example; Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, and Miles Davis. Listen
for form, ii-V-Is, how they execute turnarounds, different scales and structures being played,
style trading with another soloist, etc. One page minimum. Two page maximum. Double spaced
and typed.
Mid-Term: Written exam covering the theory and composers we have learned up to this point.
In-Class Participation: Being prepared for class, notebooks, textbooks, pencils, instruments,
staff paper. Participating during class activities whether that be playing or speaking.
Final Exam: Comprehensive. Written test along with playing over a Bb blues demonstrating
what you have taken away from this course.

Schedule Calendar:
WEEK 1:
Introduction - Major scales
Arpeggiation, triads, inversions
WEEK 2:
Major pentatonic
Minor pentonic
WEEK 3:
Diatonic scale into hexagonal
Enclosures, chromatic lower
Listening Log #1

WEEK 4:
Phrygian mode
Locrian mode
WEEK 5:
3rd based arpeggiation major
3rd based arpeggiation minor
Listening Log #2
WEEK 6:
Little Sunflower melody
Little Sunflower melody by memory, form
WEEK 7:
Mid-Term
No Class
WEEK 8:
Dominant arpeggiation, mixolydian, be-bop dominant
Major/minor/dominant circle of fourths root based
Listening Log #3
WEEK 9:
Minor 7 b5 from 3rd (dom 9) structures
Diminished from 3rd (dom b9) structures
WEEK 10:
Rhythmic displacement
Be-bop dominant from root, 3, 5, 7
Listening Log #4
WEEK 11:
Key expansion
Inverted Diminished ascending and descending
WEEK 12:
Long form ii-V scale/arpeggiation
Short form ii-V scale/arpeggiation

WEEK 13:
THANKSGIVING BREAK
WEEK 14:
Blues scale
Blues continued
Listening Log #5
WEEK 15:
Review for Final Exam
FINAL EXAM

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ethics and conduct, please consult the following sources:
http://www3.uakron.edu/gradsch/gradbull.html, then select "General Information" (academic
honesty); or www.uakron.edu/studdev/conduct.html(Student Code of Conduct).

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impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility at 330-972-7928. The office is
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University Policy: "Students whose names who do not appear on the class list will not be
permitted to participate (take exams or receive credit) without first showing proof of registration
by no later than Sept. 12

Withdrawal Policy: The last day to add or drop a class is Sept. 12th and the last day to
withdraw (WD) from a class is Oct. 17th.

Plagiarism: Under University Rule 3359-41-02, plagiarism constitutes a type of student

misconduct that is punishable by formal disciplinary probation, suspension, or dismissal from the

University. It is the responsibility of all University of Akron students to know what plagiarism is
and how to avoid it.

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or sexual orientation) is not allowed in class. The University of Akron is committed to providing
an environment free of all forms of discrimination, including sexual violence and sexual
harassment. This includes instances of attempted and/or completed sexual assault, domestic and
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