Description

This course explores the structures and forms that shape jazz repertoire and provides tools for original composition. Students will analyze classic and modern jazz forms, learn to compose melodies and chord progressions, and develop their own small-form compositions. Emphasis will be placed on form recognition, melodic development, and integrating harmonic knowledge from Jazz Language I.

Key Areas:

• Common jazz forms (12-bar blues, 32-bar AABA, rhythm changes, modal forms)
• Form analysis in classic and modern jazz standards
• Writing lead sheets and original heads
• Composing melodies over standard and original progressions and analyzing improvisations
• Voice-leading, harmonic flow, and chord substitutions in composition
• Developing a compositional voice in jazz

Course or Instrument Type

Theory / Composition

Location

Ensemble Room 329 at VSO School of Music

Instructor

Noah Franche-Nolan