Jazz Theory I

3 units

Introduction to the jazz music language as a preparation for the study of improvisation. The course of study consists of basic music theory including music-reading skills and notation, scales, intervals, and triads. An introduction to extended tertian chords as derived from the twenty-one modes of the major, melodic and harmonic minor scales forms the basis of the jazz harmonic language. The study of chord progression and chord substitution, song form, and the blues prepares the student for a detailed study of the modern jazz language. Students who register for Music 121J are required to register for one of the subsections.