MUJS 1370 - Jazz Fundamentals II

Syllabus and Course Schedule

Instructor: Mike Steinel, Teaching Assistant: Keith Karns
Office: Room 353, Phone 940-565-3758
email – michael.steinel@unt.edu

Coures Objectives - To prepare students with the necessary knowledge and skill to begin (or continue) the study of jazz
improvisation and composition. These are: (1) Scale Knowledge and Skill, (2) Knowledge of Chord and Scale
Relationships, (3) Knowledge of Chord Substituion and Function, (4) Understanding of Basic Practice Strategies and (5)
Understanding of Basic Improvisation Strategies.

Prerequisites - Students must have completed MUJS 1360 with a grade of "A" or "B" or passed the Proficiency Exam for
MUJS 1360. Note: It is recommended (but not required) that students take MUJS 1361 concurrently with MUJS 1360 or
1370.

Office Hours - By appointment – Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 AM to Noon.

Class Materials - The Jazz Language, by Dan Haerle (Available at the Union Book Store) and the 1370 Course Book
(Provided by Instructor).

Class Activities - (in addition to the 11 AM class time students are required to attend seven "lab" sessions that will take
place at 4 PM on Mon or Wed.)

Lectures - New information is covered on "lecture days". It will be helpful to have read the chapter prior
to the lecture. A brief "Attendance Quiz" may be given on lecture days.
Chapter Quizes - These will usually be given on the next class meeting following the lecture.
Chapter Exams - There are seven written chapter exams.
Written Assignments - The assignment sheets will handed out on lecture days. Students will usually have
5 days to complete the assignment.
4 PM - Playing Assignments - Will be assigned on lecture days. Students will have usually a week and a
half to prepare the 4 PM - Playing assignments. These are done on an instrument of the students choosing.
Students are required to bring instruments on class days when "instrumental drill" or "4 PM - Playing
assignments" are due. Students failing to bring instruments will be counted as absent and have ten grade
points deducted from the semester total.
Final Exam - A cumulative written final will be given during final week.

Grading - The Semester grade will be determined as a percentage of the total possible points. (90% and above = A, 80% to
89% = B, 70% to 79 = C, etc.) Points will be assigned as listed below:

Graded Items Points Points for Entire Semester

Attendance Quizes (8) 10 points each 80
Chapter Exams (7) @50 points each 350
Written Assignments (7) @50 points each 350
4 PM - Playing Assignments (7) 20 points each 140
Mid-Term 4 PM - Playing Exam 50 points 50
Final Exam @200 points 150
Total Points = @1120

Attendance Policy - Students are expected to attend class and be on time. Students missing more than 5 class meetings may
be dropped for non-attendance.

Latework - All work is due at the beginning of class (as listed in the schedule). Late work will be accepted for students
who are absent due to illness or family emergency. Documentation is required (a written doctor's note or written note from a
family member).
 MUJS 1370 – Schedule of Activities – Spring 2013

Date Mondays Wednesdays

1/14 Introduction/Orientation 1/16 Content Overview and Improv Intro

1/21 No Class (MLK Day) 1/23 Lecture #1: Pentatonics and Blues Scales

1/28 Chapter Quiz #1 1/30 Written Assignment Returned

Written Assignment #1 Due Instrumental Drill
Instrumental Drill

2/4 Exam 1 2/6 Lecture #2: Ascending Melodic Minor

4 PM - Playing Assignment #1 4 PM - Playing Assignment #1

2/11 Chapter Quiz #2 2/13 Written Assignment Returned

Written Assignment #2 Due Instrumental Drill
Instrumental Drill

2/18 Exam 2 2/20 Lecture 3: Symmetrically Altered Scales

4 PM - Playing Assignment #2 4 PM - Playing Assignment #2

2/25 Chapter Quiz #3 2/27 Written Assignment Returned

Assignment #3 Due Instrumental Drill
Instrumental Drill

3/4 Exam #3 3/6 Lecture 4: Synthetic Scales (Bebop, Harm Maj)

4 PM - Playing Assignment #3 4PM - Playing Assignment #3

3/11 Chapter Quiz #4 3/13 Written Assignment Returned

Written Assignment #4 Due Instrumental Drill
Instrumental Drill

3/25 Exam #4 3/27 Lecture 5: Altered Dominant Scales

4 PM - Playing Assignment #4 4 PM - Playing Assignment #4

4/1 Chapter Quiz #5 4/3 Written Assignment Returned

Assignment #5 Due Instrumental Drill
Instrumental Drill

4/8 Exam #5 4/10 Lecture 6: Advanced Substitution and Function

4 PM - Playing Assignment #5 4 PM - Playing Assignment #5

4/15 Chapter Quiz #6 4/17 Written Assignment Returned

Assignment #6 Due Instrumental Drill
Instrumental Drill

4/22 Exam #6 4/24 Lecture 7: Polychord Nomenclature (9)

4 PM - Playing Assignment #6 4 PM - Playing Assignment #6

4/29 Written Assignment #7 Due 5/1 Exam #7

Chapter Quiz #7

Final Exam – Friday May 10, 2012 at 8 – 10AM (Alternate Day – Monday May 6 at 4 PM to 5:30PM)

Compliance with Federal Statutes: The College of Music complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodation for
qualified students with disability. If you have an established disability as defined in the Americans With Disabilities Act and would like to request
accommodation, please see me as soon as possible. My office hours and office number are shown on this syllabus.
Scholastic Honesty Policy: Cheating, in any form, will result in an automatic grade of "F" in the course, the removal of the student from the course, and
immediate reporting of the student's actions to the Office of the Dean of Students and to the Office of the Dean of the College of Music.