Coursework (100% of total assessment)

 ·        Critical study of a short piece of recorded jazz, chosen from a list provided, including melodic and harmonic transcription, stylistic analysis and historical discussion (max. 500 words) (20%)

 ·        An essay, chosen from a list provided, of not more than 2000 words addressing an issue in current jazz critical thinking (40%)

 ·        EITHER: an arrangement for jazz ensemble of a short piece (no more than 2 mins), the nature of the ensemble and the piece in question being determined in consultation with the lecturer; the submission to include an appropriate score and recorded performance (40%)

OR: the delivery of an oral presentation lasting 20 minutes on a subject determined in       consultation with the Module Convenor; the presentation to be accompanied, where appropriate, by visual, audio (live/recorded) and notated illustration (40%)

To develop detailed critical and analytical understanding of major topics in jazz scholarship, practice and structure.

By the end of this module you should be able to:

 ·        identify, and demonstrate critical understanding of, significant topics in jazz scholarship

 ·        analyse aspects of jazz structure, harmony and improvisational practice

 ·        demonstrate skills in the transcription of complex jazz solos and, optionally, in jazz arrangement

Critical study of various topics in jazz scholarship, such as the writing of jazz history, jazz analysis, jazz and ethnicity, jazz and cinema, jazz and 'art' music, European jazz, jazz in contemporary culture; analytical study of jazz harmony, improvisational techniques and jazz arrangement.

10 two-hour lectures, some of which will be practical and/or workshop-orientated in nature; additional individual/group tutorials as required

Essential 

 Mervyn Cooke & David Horn (eds), The Cambridge Companion to Jazz ( Cambridge :  CUP, 2002)

 Krin Gabbard, Jazz Among the Discourses (Durham: Duke University Press, 1995)

 Lionel Grigson, Practical Jazz (London, Stainer & Bell, 1999)

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