All classes

Homework due

Chord symbols basics worksheet

Class topic

Notation software and composition workshop

Homework assigned

Music Engraving Exercise

Notes

bring laptops today!

Homework due

Worksheet on 12-bar blues, no jazz [first page only]

Blues scales worksheet [first page only]

Class topic

Improvising (bring instruments to class)

Homework assigned

Improvising with the blues scale

Notes

Special guest Paul Bratcher will be teaching our lesson on improvisation! I will still be in attendance too.

Homework due

Improvising with the blues scale

Class topic

Blues composition workshop

Homework assigned

Blues composition project

Notes

Upload videos here

Homework due

Blues composition project

Class topic

Swing rhythms

Homework assigned

Swing Rhythms video

Notes

Performance day! bring your instruments to class.

Homework due

Chord symbols with extensions worksheet

Class topic

Jazz voicings

Homework assigned

Jazz voicings worksheet—revised version emailed out. Do Part 2 only!

Homework due

Jazz voicings worksheet—revised version emailed out. Do Part 2 only!

Class topic

Tonicization

Homework assigned

Applied Chords worksheet worksheet C—jazz/pop focus

Notes

  1. Be prepared to perform a progression from the worksheet on piano
  2. Blues composition revisions due today (“best by” today)

Homework due

Applied Chords worksheet worksheet C—jazz/pop focus

Class topic

ii–V–I

Homework assigned

ii–V–I worksheet

Notes

Another good resource on secondary dominants

Homework due

ii–V–I worksheet

Class topic

ii–V–I

Homework assigned

Composing with ii–V–I

Notes

We may also look ahead to embellishing chords and substitutions.

Homework due

Substitutions

Embellishing chords

Class topic

Bebop composition workshop

Homework assigned

Bebop composition project

Notes

bring laptops today!

Homework assigned

Optional bebop composition revisions

Notes

Blues compositions can also still be revised.

Homework assigned

Optional bebop composition revisions

Notes

Blues compositions can also still be revised.

Homework due

Section structures

Class topic

Verse-chorus form

Homework assigned

Listening to pop forms

Homework due

Transcribing rhythms

Class topic

4-chord schemas

Homework assigned

Either 1) Identifying Four-Chord Schemas or 2) Variations on Four-Chord Schemas (choose one)

Notes

FYI: This is “holy week” so I am extra busy with my church gig.

Homework due

Either 1) Identifying Four-Chord Schemas or 2) Variations on Four-Chord Schemas (choose one)

Class topic

More schemas (Puff, Classical, Blues-based)

Homework assigned

Identifying schemas

Notes

FYI: This is “holy week” so I am extra busy with my church gig.

Homework due

Identifying schemas

Class topic

Modal schemas

Homework assigned

Two worksheets: Identifying Modal Schemas and Modal reharmonization composition exercise

Notes

Download the vocals-only track for “Desperado” here. You may use this to do the Modal Reharmonization worksheet in a DAW instead of in notation. If you do this, upload your audio file here.

Class topic

No class—out of town

Homework assigned

Two worksheets: Identifying Modal Schemas and Modal reharmonization composition exercise

Notes

Download the vocals-only track for “Desperado” here. You may use this to do the Modal Reharmonization worksheet in a DAW instead of in notation. If you do this, upload your audio file here.

Homework due

Reharmonizing to avoid tonic

Class topic

Drumbeats

Homework assigned

Drumbeats

Notes

Homework due

Drumbeats

Class topic

Texture in pop music

Homework assigned

Visualizing Texture

Notes

Upload an image of your analysis here. We will use the discussion questions for in-class discussion (i.e., you won’t turn that in).

Homework due

Visualizing Texture

Class topic

Text Setting in Pop Music

Homework assigned

Text Setting in Pop Music

Notes

Upload an image of your analysis here. We will use the discussion questions for in-class discussion (i.e., you won’t turn that in).

Here is another resource on text setting.

Homework due

Text Setting in Pop Music

Class topic

Songwriting project workshop

Homework assigned

Songwriting composition project

Notes

bring laptops today! Next class, we will share compositions. Bring your instruments or your recordings!

Homework due

None—work on your compositions!

Class topic

Performance day

Homework assigned

Songwriting composition project

Notes

We are sharing compositions. Bring your instruments or your recordings!

Homework due

Songwriting composition project

Notes

Submit your song by May 1 to be eligible for revisions.

Homework due

Songwriting composition project

Notes

All coursework must be submitted by May 7. This is a hard deadline.