Jazz History (MUS 172)
A study of the evolution of jazz in the United States from its beginnings to the present. This course meets New Mexico Lower Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area V: Humanities and Fine Arts.
Introduction to Improvisation (MUS 236)
An introductory course in musical improvisation. Activities include singing, playing familiar tunes by ear and learning of tonal functions. Basic aspects of jazz harmony, vocabulary and style are introduced during the latter part of the semester.
Jazz Improvisation I (MUS 237)
Continuation of MUS 236. Course addresses forms of jazz tunes, idiomatic jazz vocabulary (patterns) associated with ii-V7-I chord progressions and jazz theory, including chord/scale relationships.
Jazz Theory/Keyboard (MUS 238)
Music theory as applied to jazz music. Introduction to chord/scale theory, chord nomenclature, common harmonic progressions and substitutions. Keyboard includes basic jazz chord voicings and progressions.
Jazz Improvisation II (MUS 336)
Continuation of 237, focusing on chromaticism, chord alterations (with associated chord/scale implications), execution of ii-V7-I patterns in all minor keys and analysis of transcribed solos of jazz masters.
Jazz Improvisation III (MUS 337)
Continuation of 336, introducing modern jazz compositions containing nonfunctional and polytonal harmony, with appropriate chord-scale implications and jazz vocabulary. Analysis of transcribed solos of modern jazz masters is also required.
Jazz Arranging (MUS 338)
Introduction to jazz arranging and scoring techniques for jazz small groups and big bands. Includes voicing for horns, writing for rhythm sections, reharmonization, standards for score and part preparation.
Selected Topics in Jazz Studies (MUS 343)
This course allows permanent or visiting faculty to develop a course based on a topic related to the field of jazz studies.
