Vocal Jazz Techniques
MUJS 3120
Syllabus and Course Requirements – Fall 2011
Class Meetings - MW 1:00 - 1:50 (RmTBA)
Instructor - Rosana Eckert Cell - (817)-368-4422
Office - MU 146 (940-891-6825)
Email-
Course Prerequisites: MUTH 1500, MUJS 1370, 1371, 1470
Course Objectives: During each of the three semesters, the student will develop his/her jazz solo style, ear training, jazz piano skills, and communication skills; study the artistic style of respected jazz vocalists; and develop a personal repertoire and song book. Due to the different levels of experience among the students, the course requirements may be tailored for individual students.
Attendance Policy: Due to the nature of the class, full attendance is required at all sessions. If you are unable to attend class (ill, personal emergency, out-of-town commitment, etc.) call my cell phone or office phone before class or the absence will be marked unexcused. Each unexcused absence will result in a lower participation grade by 10 points. Three un-excused absences will result in the lowering of the final grade by ten points. (Please don't make me have to do that. Just take care of business.) Each student will be expected to participate in every class by being on time, listening attentively to the performance, and offering comments courteously and in a positive manner. Tardiness will result in the lowering of the participation grade. Any student who is unable to sing at the allotted time must arrange with another student to exchange times. Failure to do so will result in a lower participation grade. (It is not possible to make-up a master class performance.)
Required Materials
Fake Book (approved by instructor)
Mini DVD (bring it each time you sing or buy one for $1)
Audiotape, blank CD, or email (for transcription recordings)
Staff paper or music software (Finale/Band-in-a-box)
Three binders or folders for gigbook
Masterclass: Each student will bring 4 copies (one for each player) of a properly formatted chart on their designated singing day (each performance will be with piano, bass, drums). Following the performance, the performances will be posted online on Blackboard, and the student will complete and hand in a self-evaluation after watching the performance. Three styles from the Style Sheet must be completed by the end of the semester. While one student is singing, the rest of the class will serve as the attentive audience. After each performance, the class will have a brief discussion, and all students are encouraged to offer their comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism in a positive manner. Three singers will sing on each masterclass day, so again, punctuality is of extreme importance. All self-evaluation sheets are due by the last day of class.
Chordal transcription: Each student will complete a lead sheet after having transcribed the chord changes from a jazz recording of their choice. (Refer to Chordal Transcription Guide for tips.) The melody does not have to be present. Lead sheets must be legible (band-in-a-box, finale, neat manuscript) and properly formatted (see handout). Choose music that has a clear bass sound, and avoid ballads with strings or big band arrangements. It is the sole responsibility of the student to hand the transcription in on time. (one day late = -5, two or more days late = -10) Transcriptions are due in class on the allocated day.
Vocal transcription performance: Each student will perform a vocal transcription of an improvisational solo. Two of those solos must be instrumental solos, and at least one must be from the suggested transcription list. The student will bring the recording to class and sing the solo with the recording. The goal is to emulate the soloist as closely as possible, both in content and style. Each transcription must be at least 32 measures in length and must be written out (written copy due at time of performance) with chord changes included. Please choose solos that are singable! If you need advice on transcription material, ask!
Midterm Evaluation: Each student will memorize and prepare charts for five songs. One will be chosen by the evaluation panel.
Piano Bar - The student's final masterclass performance will involve self-accompaniment on the piano (no bass and drums). The student will play the chord changes to one song (in his/her vocal key) using appropriate jazz voicings as taught in MUJS 1470. (Don't wait until the last minute! Please see me if you need any help with voicings.)
Final Evaluation and Songbook: The student must memorize and prepare charts for ten songs differing in style. These songs must be put into different binders or folders to be handed to the jury players. The student will perform two songs: 1 student choice, 1 evaluation panel choice. The charts for the songs must be legible, properly formatted, in the proper key, and have acceptable chord changes. It is wise (but not necessary) to write intros and endings for final jury. (Highly recommended - melody and words written on charts - especially for jazz ballads!)
The final grade is determined in the following manner:
Performance/Participation 20%
Chordal Transcriptions 15%
Vocal Transcriptions 15%
Piano bar 5%
Mid-Term 20%
Final Jury 25%
Vocal Jazz Techniques MUJS 3120 --- Fall 2014—Syllabus Part 2
REVISED: Sept. 8, 2014
Wk2 Sept. 1 Labor Day – no class
Sept. 3 Grooves (Rosana with rhythm section)
Wk 3 Sept. 8 Master Class – Group 1
Sept. 10 Master Class – Group 2
Wk 3 Sept 15 Master Class – Group 3
Sept 17 Bandstand endings, presentation, phrasing (Rosana w/ rhythm section)
Wk 4 Sept 22 Master Class – Group 1 Chordal Transcription #1 due
Sept 24 Master Class – Group 2
Wk 5 Sept 29 Master Class – Group3
Oct 1 Master Class – Group 1
Wk 6 Oct.6 Master Class – Group 2
Oct.8 Master Class – Group 3
Wk 7 Oct 13 Master Class – Group 1
Oct 15 Master Class – Group 2 Chordal Trans. #2 due
Wk 8 Oct 20 Master Class – Group 3
Oct 22 Mid-Term Project (duet presentations)
Wk 9 Oct. 27 Master Class – Group 1
Oct 29 Master Class – Group 2
Wk 10 Nov 3 Master Class – Group 3
Nov. 5 Master Class – Group 1
Wk 11 Nov. 10 Master Class – Group 2
Nov. 12 Master Class – Group 3 Chordal Trans. #3 due
Wk 12 Nov. 17 Master Class – Group 1
Nov. 19 Master Class – Group 2
Wk 13 Nov. 24 Master Class – Group 3
Nov. 26 Discussion: Self promotion, Gig Gear (sound, books, etc)
DdWk Dec 1 Gig Sit-In (vocal trios with rhythm)
Dec 3 Final Masterclass – Piano Bar (no rhythm)
Dec. 10 Final Evaluation 1:00pm-3:00pm
Rhythm section and vocalists are expected to be present for the entire exam time. Vocalists: NOTE: this is not the same event as your private lesson jury.
Vocal Jazz Forum – Fridays 3:00 - Room 263
Office of Disability Accommodation
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students
seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their
eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty
to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any
time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any
delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and
must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the
Office of Disability Accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at
940.565.4323.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (Undergraduates)
A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue to receive financial aid. Students must
maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in addition to successfully completing a required number of credit hours
based on total registered hours per term. Students cannot exceed attempted credit hours above 150% of their
required degree plan. If a student does not maintain the required standards, the student may lose their financial aid
eligibility.
If at any point you consider dropping this or any other course, please be advised that the decision to do so may have
the potential to affect your current and future financial aid eligibility. Please visit
http://financialaid.unt.edu/satisfactory-academic-progress-requirements for more information about financial aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress. It may be wise for you to schedule a meeting with an academic advisor in your
college or visit the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office to discuss dropping a course being doing so.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (Graduates)
A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue to receive financial aid. Students must
maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in addition to successfully completing a required number of credit hours
based on total registered hours per term. Students cannot exceed maximum timeframes established based on the
published length of the graduate program. If a student does not maintain the required standards, the student may
lose their financial aid eligibility.
If at any point you consider dropping this or any other course, please be advised that the decision to do so may have
the potential to affect your current and future financial aid eligibility. Please visit
http://financialaid.unt.edu/satisfactory-academic-progress-requirements for more information about financial aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress. It may be wise for you to schedule a meeting with an academic advisor in your
college or visit the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office to discuss dropping a course being doing so.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is defined in the UNT Policy on Student Standards for Academic Integrity. Any suspected case
of Academic Dishonesty will be handled in accordance with the University Policy and procedures. Possible
academic penalties range from a verbal or written admonition to a grade of “F” in the course. Further sanctions may
apply to incidents involving major violations. You will find the policy and procedures at:
http://vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm.
Student Behavior in the Classroom
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students’ opportunity to learn
is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in
unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Center
for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student’s conduct violated the Code of Student
Conduct. The university’s expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university
and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at:
www.unt.edu/csrr.