Jazz Trumpet Curriculum
Note
Improvisation of the highest caliber can be on a blues or a folk tune. Pigeon-holing jazz musicians and jazz guitarists into a particular level is very difficult. Some students have the fretboard, chord, and scale math together, but the phrasing is not developed. Further more, other students have a natural flow of melodic ideas steeped in the jazz tradition but technique and harmonic development is not yet developed. Given all of the components of playing jazz combined with technical aspects of the guitar, assigning a level is never easy. All students are designed a unique program of study to assist in all areas in need of work with a focus on developing guitar skills and the art of jazz performance/improvisation.
Level 1
Goals
- Development of basic rhythmic sense (self contained time feel)
- Development of basic jazz phrasing concepts, (swing eighth note interpretation, characteristic articulation and style)
- Ability to improvise over simple harmonic frameworks such as:
- Basic 12 bars blues One or two chords of relatively long duration
- Modal tunes
Improvisation Concepts
- Blues scales introduced.
- Introduction to Modes of Major Harmony
- Introduction of free form improvisation
Improvisation
- Jamey Aebersold Vol. 54 Maiden Voyage
Level II
Method
- Easy Jazz Conception – Snidero
Theory
- Modes of Major Harmony continuation
- Attention to color tones of scales
- Basic seventh chords
- Begin study of jazz vocabulary (phrases and patterns of jazz masters learned in all keys)
- Blues scales in various keys
Level III
Performance
- ECMS recital encouraged
Methods
- Patters for Jazz – Coker
- Easy Jazz Conception – Snidero
Repertoire
- various blues heads in different keys
- Study of jazz tunes on which pieces from Easy Jazz Conception are based
- Keep working on more tunes accordingly
Theory
- Modes of Major Harmony continuation
- More on Jazz sequences based on intervallic relationships
- Ear Training – Singing and recognizing more complex intervals
- II-V-I Patterns
- Understanding and use of the circle of 5th
- Diatonic triads and 7th chords in all major and minor keys
- Add to list of vocabulary
- Jamey Aebersold Vol. 3 II-V-I
Level IV
Performance
- ECMS recital performance required
Methods
- Patterns for Jazz -Coker
- Intermediate Jazz Conception -Snidero
Theory
- Ear Training – Ability to discern all 7th chord types
- Triads All Cycles and Permutations by Memory
- Arpeggios of all 5 Basic Chord Categories (Major, Minor, Dominant, Minor 7th b5 and diminished) All keys all Invertions by Memory
- More on major and minor II-V-I
- More jazz patterns
- Add to list of vocabulary
- All Major, Minor, Diminished and Augmented Triads
- All Blues Scales
- Jamey Aebersold Vol. 3 II-V-I
Jazz Repertoire
- More tunes from “The Great American Songbook” as well as the standard jazz repertoire
- Study of jazz tunes that pieces from Intermediate Jazz Conception are based on.
- Compile list of tunes that are memorized
Method
- Intermediate Jazz Conception – Snidero
Musicianship
- Ability to sing simple solos
- Doing and analyzing simple Jazz transcriptions for development of the language.
- Listening to Favorite Jazz Artist
- Common Notes and Voice Leading Exercises
- Introduction of more complex chord progressions and tunes
Ensembles
- Perform in school jazz ensemble and all county jazz ensembles.
- Perform regularly in small group setting. (Combo)
Level V – Diploma Level
Skills and Techniques
- Continuation of Level I through IV Skills
- Whole Tone, Diminished and Augmented Scales Introduced
- Melodic and Harmonic Minor Scales and Related modes
Jazz Repertoire
- Various Real Books focusing on Standards
- Ex. Take the A Train, Night in Tunisia, Autumn Leaves, All the Things You Are
- Jamey Aebersold Vol. 54, Maiden Voyage
Musicianship
- Ability to sing simple solos
- Doing and analyzing more complex Jazz transcriptions for development of the language
- Listening to recordings of jazz artists of various instruments
- More on II-V-I
- Ear Training – Ability to discern all 7th chord types
Performance
- One regularly scheduled ECMS recital required
- Participation in honor bands (concert and jazz) encouraged.
Level VI – Honors Level
Theory
- Mastery of levels I through V
- Slash chord harmony introduced
Jazz Repertoire
- Various tunes from the “Great American Songbook and jazz Standards of increased difficulty (for example, “Cherokee”, “Giant Steps” etc.)
- Mastery of a substantial list of jazz vocabulary gleaned from jazz masters
Musicianship
- Ability to sing more complex solos. Motific Soloing and Motive Development continued.
- Doing and analyzing more complex Jazz transcriptions for development of the language
- Listening to recordings of jazz artists of varying instruments
- Introduction of various techniques of outside improvisation
Performance
Required
- Pass special 20 minutes jury for permission to perform in solo recital.
- Prepare and perform in one full length solo recital during senior year.
General
- Audition for honor bands
- Prepare for college auditions
- Attend live performances
Please Note: Assigning a particular student to a specific level of competence is not an exact science. All students are designed a unique program of study geared to improve their skills in the art of jazz performance.
Also…Trumpet technique (tone, range, endurance, flexibility, fingering, etc.) will be addressed as needed according to each student’s unique abilities
Last updated: October 5, 2009