Outline

Overview

Harmony and Arranging Module: Deals with more advanced aspects of jazz music theory and arranging, such as voicing techniques for two to four horns, harmonisation of passing tones, clusters and other techniques. Students may be organised into ensemble-like groups and may be expected to bring their instruments to perform the works presented. Keyboard module: Puts theoretical concepts covered in both the Harmony and Arranging and Aural Modules into practice using keyboard instruments. Aural Module: Consolidates and expands upon concepts and skills introduced in Jazz Music Skills 1, and introduces compound intervals, open voicings, the addition of upper extensions to all chord types, and increasingly complex harmonic structures.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Jazz
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	JAZZ1621
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)	Andrew Robertson, andrew.robertson@sydney.edu.au
	Matthew McMahon, matthew.mcmahon@sydney.edu.au
	Steve Barry, steve.barry@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Harmony Module - Weekly Homework Assignments Multiple weekly homework tasks	6.67%	Multiple weeks	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Piano Module - Weekly listening & discussion Give a brief critical commentary about a jazz recording (100-150 words).	5%	Multiple weeks	1hr
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Piano Module - Preliminary Grading Assessment Short assessment of progress with the course materials presented in Wk 1-2	3.33%	Week 03	5 min each student
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Ear Training Module - Class test 1 Written test	8.33%	Week 05	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Harmony Module - Mid Semester Assignment Assignment - 8 piece jazz band arrangement	10%	Week 06	8 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Piano Module - Chord Theory Test Realise chord symbols, spot errors in notated chords, indicate chord-scales	5%	Week 07	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Ear Training Module - Class test 2 Written test	8.33%	Week 08	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Harmony Module - End of Semester Test Summation of all Semester 4 work	6.67%	Week 12	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Ear Training Module - End of Semester Test Summation of all Semester 4 work	16.67%	Week 12	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Piano Module - End of Semester Assessment Rolling assessment of the various tasks for each piece of repertoire.	20%	Week 12	10 min each student
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Harmony Module - End of semester assignment Assignment - 8 piece jazz band arrangement between 3-5 mins in duration	10%	Week 13	20 hours
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

End of Semester Class Test – Ear training & Harmony modules: Ear Training: will consist of a written test where students will be asked to identify and transcribe exercises performed on the piano by the examiner. Harmony: a written test covering all learning activities throughout Semester 2
Class tests (Ear Training): class test will consist of a written test in which the student will be asked to identify and transcribe exercises performed on the piano by the examiner
Weekly Homework Assignments (Harmony): Homework Assignments, due in various weeks, different topics based on content covered in class. They will be simple and short activities focusing on the learnings of that week’s class.
2 Larger Arranging Assignments (Harmony): Two larger assignments throughout the semester delivered in Week 2 (due Week 5); Week 5 (due Week 9). Each assignment is designed to build skills toward the final assignment.
End of Semester assignment (Harmony): Extended small jazz band (8 piece) arrangement of 3-5 minutes duration with full score and parts. The writing of a successful arrangement demonstrates the student’s knowledge of jazz harmony and arranging in the most immediate and direct way. This arrangement will demonstrate an overall grasp of both fundamentals and more advanced concepts in jazz harmony, and exhibit facility with the content covered in class.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.
Distinction	75 - 84	Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential.
Credit	65 - 74	Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.
Pass	50 - 64	Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.
Fail	0 - 49	Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.
Credit	65 - 74	Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.
Pass	50 - 64	Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.
Fail	0 - 49	Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per Sydney University guidelines

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Harmony Module Review of Semester 1 We’ll review the arranging skills and information from Semester 1; including: • Creating guide tone lines • Diatonic harmony questions • Simple closed and open voicing • Instrument transposition Developing Counterlines Expanding on the ideas from Semester 1 of counterlines. We’ll expand this idea and discuss how counterlines can embellish a melody without detracting from it.	Online class (2 hr)
Week 01	Jazz Piano Module - Revision of the 5 different types of 7th chords • Introduction to colourful voicings in “A” and “B” forms • “A” and “B” voicings for half-diminished and altered dominant chords • Re-examination of Green Dolphin Street in Eb major, using colourful voicings	Lecture (0.6 hr)
Week 02	Harmony Module Exploring Colours Using instrumental colours is a key element to successful arranging. We’ll explore how certain instruments work well together and some don’t. In addition we’ll begin to understand how certain ranges of instruments create different effects when blended with other instruments. This includes use of mutes on brass, writing in specific ranges of the front line instruments.	Online class (2 hr)
Week 02	Piano Module Recorda-Me in A minor	Lecture (0.6 hr)
Week 03	Harmony Module Music of Latin America and it’s influence in Jazz and Jazz Arranging The study of the music from this continent is a lifelong one, however we will begin looking at the principle rhythms of the region that have directly impacted jazz. Initially we’ll look at the most commonly used styles of ‘Latin-American’ music: • Salsa; • Son-Montuno; • Bossanova; • Samba	Online class (2 hr)
Week 03	Piano Module Revision of Green Dolphin Street and Recorda-Me • Preliminary grading assessment (10%)	Online class (0.6 hr)
Week 04	Harmony Module Writing for the Rhythm Section ala Latin style! We will again look at the Latin-American rhythms from last week and how they can be implemented onto the rhythm section parts. We will study further how writing for each of these instruments has it’s own challenges.	Online class (2 hr)
Week 04	Piano Module Long cycles of ii-V’s in All The Things You Are	Online class (0.6 hr)
Week 05	Harmony Module Extended harmonies This week will look at extended harmonies including: - #5 and b5 - #9 and b9 - 11 - 13 We will explore voicing these sounds with only 4 brass/reed parts.	Online class (2 hr)
Week 05	Piano Module Revisiting four-part harmonization & colourful voicings • Peace in Bb major	Online class (0.6 hr)
Week 06	Harmony Module Arranging Up Tempo pieces (Bebop and Beyond!) This week we will explore the differences in writing for up tempo pieces – for both horn sections and rhythm sections. Elements we’ll explore include: • less use of harmony and more unison • solo lines with group backings • when and where to use closed and open voicings and do they each have a ‘speed’ • 2 feel and ‘4 on the floor’ feels for the rhythm section • Comping patterns for Piano/Guitar at faster speeds	Online class (2 hr)
Week 06	Piano Module The Night Has A Thousand Eyes in G major	Online class (0.6 hr)
Week 07	Harmony Module Introductions and Codas When arranging any piece we need a way to musically get in and out of the piece. Introductions and Codas are your key to doing this, but what goes into an effective Intro or Coda. We’ll look at making use of melodic, rhythmic, harmonic and motific elements from a piece to create Intros and Codas.	Online class (2 hr)
Week 07	Piano Module Revision of Recorda-Me, Green Dolphin Street, All The Things You Are, Peace and The Night Has A Thousand Eyes • Chord theory test (15%)	Online class (0.6 hr)
Week 08	Harmony Module Non-Standard Voicing - Breaking the rules! We have looked at standard 4 note voicing in both open and closed position. This week we will look at non-standard voicing including cluster voicing and 4th voicings	Online class (2 hr)
Week 08	Piano Module Modal harmony & intervallic voicings • Visby first chord Emaj7(#11)	Online class (0.6 hr)
Week 09	Harmony Module Score Analysis We will spend some time working through the score of the Marty Paich arrangement of ‘Love Me Or Leave Me’ that you transcribed 4 bars from earlier in the semester. Marty Paich was a master arranger of small and large jazz ensembles, as well as orchestral and vocal/choir writing in the post WWII era. We can learn a lot by examining the methods he used, as displayed in this chart.	Online class (2 hr)
Week 10	Harmony Module Semester Summary We’ll do this over the following 2 weeks in preparation for the final exam assessment in Week 12. This is your opportunity to ask and discuss anything from our work during the semester.	Online class (2 hr)
Week 11	Harmony Module Multi-Week Assignment Review We will spend approximately 30-45 minutes working on your multi-week assignment. Semester Summary This is your opportunity to ask and discuss anything from our work during the semester in preparation for the end of Semester assignment and exam.	Online class (2 hr)
Week 12	Harmony Module End of Semester class test - a summary of all work covered across Semester 2, 2020	Online class (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recording: Lectures for this unit of study will be recorded and made available to students via the Learning Management System (LMS)
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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. recognise intervals within an octave
LO2. identify all chord qualities including 9th chords with alterations
LO3. transcribe short melodies and 8 bar chord progressions which make use of chromaticism
LO4. demonstrate knowledge of fundamental jazz harmonic principles through improvisation in a coherent way
LO5. analyse jazz arrangements from a range of styles and eras
LO6. write arrangements for small group jazz bands in a number of styles
LO7. be fluent in diatonic jazz harmony and small group arranging techniques
LO8. complete a smaller-sized arrangement for a small group jazz band to be performed in class.
LO9. identify and construct (from printed score or from memory) the extended/colourful 7th chords derived from the modes of the major scale, including: maj6/9, min9, dominant 9 and 13 and some altered dominant chords, min9(b5) or half-diminished 9, and diminished 7
LO10. name and compare some basic alternative voicings and parent scales that may be used when harmonising or re-harmonising: 1. tonic major and minor chords (I chords); 2. minor and half-diminished (or min7(b5) chords (ii7 chords); and 3. dominant 7 chords (V7 chords)
LO11. name and describe some uses for the chords derived from the melodic minor scale
LO12. describe and apply drop 2 voicing technique to ii-V-I and diatonic cycle chord progressions
LO13. describe in basic detail some aspects of recorded jazz music, and identify a small number of relevant techniques employed by the performing musicians that may be in turn used to inform one's own practice and arrangements
LO14. utilise the resources presented in this course to inform further private practice and study of (or improvisation or composition with) jazz piano and jazz harmony.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

JAZZ1622: Jazz Music Skills 2

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect