The Yolanda and David Katz Faculty of the Arts, The Buchmann-Mehta School of Music


Name of Course: Jazz Theory for Classical Performers

Semester I, 2017-2018

B.A, Lesson and practice, 2 hour weekly course

The course will be held in English.

Name of Lecturer: Ofer Gazit
Tel: TBA
Email: TBA

Reception time: By appointment
 

Course requirements

Participation, assigned listening, three written assignments, and final project.

Description of course
What insights can jazz analysis and practice methods offer classical performers? How can these methods be applied in preparing an interpretation of classical or romantic era piece for performance? In this course we will review major theoretical approaches and practice procedures used by jazz musicians. We will analyze harmonic and rhythmic devices from a jazz perspective; learn how to improvise on the structures of works from the classical repertoire. This will allow students to familiarize themselves anew and enrich the variety of ways in which they hear and prepare works for performance.

Course topics

• Harmonic analysis in jazz
• Groove and rhythmic analysis
• Solo transcription
• Chord/scale substitution
• Practice charts and lead sheets

Grading Summary

• 20% assignment 1: jazz harmony
• 20% assignment 2: jazz rhythm
• 20% assignment 3: solo transcription (playing/writing)
• 40% Final project/performance. 

Bibliography

Nettles, B., & Graf, R. (1997). The chord scale theory & jazz harmony.