Foundations of Jazz Music

The course examines jazz origins, its early developments, and instrumentation. In addition, early composers of jazz, their works, and recordings, are studied and analyzed.  Special attention is given to listening techniques, and defining (the four views of jazz) what jazz is; improvisation, swing feeling, blues, ragtime, and dance music. It will examinethe historical and socio-economic factors in the development of jazz. The course includes a stylistic analysis of jazz and its musical elements as a basis for acquiring compositional techniques in jazz music                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Objectives: 

• To introduce jazz music and its history, style, form and different sub-genres
• To acquaint students with the terminologies used in reference to jazz music
• To develop an appreciation for jazz music