Jazz harmony, ear training and ensembles: intermediate
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- Course Code: MG602B
- Dates: 14/01/25 - 01/04/25
- Time: 10:45 - 15:45
- Taught: Tue, Daytime
- Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Cerys Hogg
Course Code: MG602B
Choose a start date
Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Develop your ability to hear, play and understand melodies and chord progressions (functional harmony) in the jazz idiom: detailed study of jazz standards will be supported with listening, singing activities and playing as a group.
Develop your ability to improvise on a range of jazz tunes.
What will we cover?
Each of the following topics will be addressed through ear training and playing as well as discussion of theory :
- modes of the major scale, triads, 7th chords and chord symbols
- Diatonic chord functions and Roman numeral analysis
- Relationship of chord and scale; available tensions and avoid notes
- Modal harmony - static and functional
- Cycle of 5ths root movement ( e.g.VI, II, V, I)
- 'Voice-leading' (guide tones) - simple and extended
- Secondary dominants (back-cycling, tri-tone substitution)
- Diminished chords and scales
- Minor key harmony (Aeolian and harmonic minor)
- Modes of melodic minor
- Playing and learning tunes in swing, funk and Latin feels.
- jazz improvisation
Repertoire will include blues (in several keys), Scrapple from the Apple, Tune up, Footprints, Maiden voyage,
Sometime ago, Blue bossa, Fly me to the moon, Softly as in a morning sunrise, Lady Bird, Cantaloupe island, Black Narcissus, Oleo, How high the moon, Make me a memory.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- recognise and reproduce intervals
- transcribe melody, bass lines, identify chord types & extensions by ear
- play, and improvise on, the study tunes, by ear, memory, and from reading chord symbols
- make functional analysis of any common jazz standard with appropriate chord/scale choices
- play, sing and improvise with greater confidence
- build a repertoire of tunes
- understand how to function in a small jazz ensemble.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You need a good working knowledge of harmony, good music reading skills, proficiency on your instrument. Any experience of playing jazz will be an advantage. Pianists and guitarists are recommended to complete jazz instrumental courses before coming to this level of study.
You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English, engage in class discussions and take notes in English and staff notation.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be lecture style teaching, practical group work i.e. ensemble playing, singing (including vocal improvisation), ear training, written music assignments, group and solo performances.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Various jazz books or internet research will be mentioned to supplement your studies but no book is mandatory for the course. All materials and resources will be supplied and lodged in the google classroom.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The jazz course will continue next term as MG602C.
Cerys Hogg is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and improviser. Whilst studying Fine Art, specialising in performance art and installation, she developed her musical skills through performing as a jazz vocalist, drummer and pianist. A scholarship allowed her to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on the post-graduate Jazz and Studio Music course. Here she specialised in jazz voice developing a personal approach to improvisation, harmony and arranging. Currently Cerys is combining her work as both multimedia artist and musician. She performs in KOGG, an experimental electronic music duo with fellow City Lit tutor, Selena Kay. Together they create music by sampling vocals, sound objects, and home-made instruments, combining composed and improvised material. They have performed live and are in the process of creating an album. An experienced teacher with a PGCE from the Institute of Education, Cerys has a reputation for delivering entertaining and engaging classes. She has a drive to demystify the elements of music, making it an accessible and enjoyable experience for all.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.