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This course focuses on basic techniques used in jazz improvisation beginning with simple phrase structures and progressing to extended solo styles. The course covers basic jazz theory including scales, chord progressions, form and analysis, and transcription. Improvisations will concentrate on widely used forms in jazz (blues and standards). All students are expected to perform on their instruments in class.

Syllabus: Tunes listed may be changed depending on the abilities of the students

Week 1: Introduction (Practicing and Shaping Jazz Solo); Blues and Major/minor Scales and Seventh Chords (Augmented, Diminished, Major, and Minor) and the Circle of Fifths; "Blue Bossa" 1st Assignment	Week 10: Rhythm Changes "Olio" (32 Bar Standard); 8th Assignment
Week 2: Major/minor Scales and Seventh Chords, the Circle of Fifths, riff and motive development, jazz patterns, ii-V's,	Week 11: Rhythm Changes and extensions/substitutions; 9th Assignment
Week 3: Modes, Scales, and Extended (Alt., 9th, 11th, and 13th) Chords, Guide tones and analysis 2nd Assignment	Week 12: More on the Blues "Blues for Alice" and 10th Assignment or Performance Opportunity
Week 4: "Freddie the Freeloader" and "Straight, No Chaser" Basic 12 Bar Blues Form; 3rd Assignment	Week 13: "On Green Dolphin Street," "Pent-up House," "Autumn Leaves" 11th Assignment
Week 5: "Now's the Time" Use of ii-V's in the Blues: 4th Assignment	Week 14: "Have You Met Miss Jones," "Giant Steps" 12th Assignment
Week 6: Guide tones, ii-V progressions, " 5th Assignment	Week 15: Modal jazz "Little Sunflower," "Footprints" 13th Assignment
Week 7: Guide tones, ii-V progressions cont. and Review for Midterm, 6th Assignment	Week 16: Modal jazz "So What," 14th Assignment
Week 8 - Midterm	Week 17: "Impressions" and Review 15th Assignment
Week 9 - Discussion of midterm results, 7th Assignment	Week 18 - Final