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Unit outline_

JAZZ1621: Jazz Music Skills 1

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Sydney

Harmony and Arranging Module: This unit deals with the study of the harmony of standard jazz repertoire both from a theoretical angle and through the process of arranging for small jazz combos. Students will learn to understand and use basic harmonic rules and standard harmonic devices, diatonic progression and chord patterns. Keyboard Module: Puts theoretical concepts covered in both the Harmony and Arranging and Aural Modules into practice using keyboard instruments. Aural Module: Offers a systematic study of all simple intervals up to and including one octave, triadic harmony, four note chords in closed position and voice leading within these concepts, focusing on common harmonic movements that occur in the jazz repertoire.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Jazz
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Andrew Robertson, andrew.robertson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Simon Barker, s.barker@sydney.edu.au
Andrew Robertson, andrew.robertson@sydney.edu.au
Matthew McMahon, matthew.mcmahon@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Harmony Module - End of Semester Test
Written test. Summary of Semester work
12.5% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment HA Module Weekly homework assignments
5 tasks throughout the Semester, each 2% (totalling 10%)
5% Multiple weeks
Due date: 19 Apr 2023 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Participation & Attendance
General participation in class and punctual attendance in H&A and ET module
10% Ongoing
Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:00
Ongoing across Semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation ET Module: Auralia Test 1
Ear training test in Auralia software
2.5% Week -03
Due date: 10 Mar 2023 at 23:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO6
Small test Class test 1 - Ear Training
Written test
12.5% Week 08
Due date: 21 Apr 2023 at 23:00
1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO6
Small continuous assessment H&A Module: Week 5 Larger Homework Task
16 bar arrangement for 4 Horns demonstrating closed voicing skills.
2.5% Week 09
Due date: 26 Apr 2023 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Skills-based evaluation ET Module: Auralia Test 2
Ear training test in Auralia software
2.5% Week 09
Due date: 28 Apr 2023 at 23:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO6
Assignment H&A Module: Larger arranging assignment
Full chorus arrangement demonstrating closed voicing skills & orchestration
7.5% Week 09
Due date: 30 Apr 2023 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation group assignment Con Sings! - SPW
Rehearsals for Con Sings! during SPW. Compulsory activity.
5% Week 10
Due date: 05 May 2023 at 23:00
Various rehearsals for Con Sings!
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4
Small test Ear Training - End of Semester Test
Written test - summary of Semester work
25% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:00
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO6
Assignment H&A Module: End of semester assignment
Full chorus arrangement for 8 piece jazz ensemble.
15% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

  • Assessment criteria for assessments in this unit of study can be found on Canvas in the appropriate folder.
  • Assessed work will be marked according to these criteria.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

Absent fail

0 - 49

When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Ear Training Class Lecture (2 hr) LO6
Jazz Harmony Class Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Rhythm Theory Lecture (0.6 hr) LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate knowledge of fundamental jazz harmonic principles through improvisation in a coherent way
  • LO2. analyse jazz arrangements from a range of styles and eras
  • LO3. write arrangements for small group jazz band in a number of styles
  • LO4. become fluent in diatonic jazz harmony and begin arranging techniques
  • LO5. complete a smaller-sized arrangement for small group jazz band to be performed in class
  • LO6. increase your aural skills and use this understanding to deepen your ability to listen, understand and perform in jazz and improvised contexts.
  • LO7. have a broad understanding of foundation rhythmic principles associated with contemporary music/jazz performance
  • LO8. have a basic set of problem solving, procedural skills allowing for the development and manipulation of personal rhythmic process and vocabulary
  • LO9. develop physical coordination skills relating to rhythmic forms, structures, and procedural practices
  • LO10. Develop skills associated with communicating rhythmic process, rhythm content, and rhythmic coordination

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes to number of assessments and weighting plus re-write of sequential learning program.

More information and resources are to be found on Canvas

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.