CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
Commercial/Jazz Arranging MU311
2 hours
Mission
Central Methodist University prepares students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.
Description
A study of the technical skills necessary to adapt music from a variety of sources for various instrumental, vocal, and mixed ensembles. Demonstrating the skills necessary to arrange music for all levels and sizes of ensembles is an important component of the class. Arranging will be approached from a commercial and jazz harmonic structure. Many assignments will be completed with the use of notation and sequencing software. Prerequisite: MU207.
Purposes
- To explore the application of jazz and commercial music theory to practical situations in the arrangement of music
- To understand the treatment of part assignments for particular ensembles
- To understand the role of particular instruments and voices within mixed ensembles in the jazz and commercial music idiom
Outcomes
The successful student will:
- Compose parts for a selection of music creatively
- Be able to assign parts to particular voices and instruments in a mixed ensemble
- Assemble a final product that is both effective and practical for an ensemble of specific voicing and instrumentation
- Be able to use improvisation as a tool in arranging commercial music
Assessment activities (student mastery of outcomes will be demonstrated through the following activities)
- Compose arrangements based on an assigned musical selection and ensemble
- Complete exercises that demonstrate the role of particular voices and instruments in musical situations
- Present the jazz and commercial music language in a creative and practical way
- Participate in class discussion
Proposed Texts
Various musical scores
David, N. (1998). Jazz arranging. New York: Ardsly House Publishers, Inc.
Course Grades
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79%= C
60-69% = D
0-59% = F
Academic Conduct Policy
Your projects must represent your work and your ideas. Ideas incorporated into your work that are not your own must be properly documented.
Students are expected to follow the CMU Academic Conduct Policy as outlined on the CMU website. Any evidence of academic misconduct may have any or all of the following consequences:
- Grade of zero on the individual assignment.
- Grade of F in the class.
- Dismissal from the class.
- A notation of academic misconduct on your transcript.
The Dean of the University may take additional action, including probation, suspension, or expulsion from the college.
Academic Property
All work (original or copy) submitted by the student to satisfy the requirements of the course may be retained at the discretion of the instructor for non-profit and educational purposes. Such work is generally used for assessing the course and providing evidence of student accomplishment for review by accrediting agencies. Any student wishing to prohibit such use of their work may do so by notifying the instructor in writing.
Non-discrimination Policy
Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability. This includes but is not limited to recruitment and admission of students, educational programs, services, activities, financial aid, and scholarship programs. The University complies with all federal and state non-discrimination requirements.
The procedures, described in the university’s catalog, are intended to guide and assist faculty, staff, and students in complying with this policy and in determining reasonable accommodations to be made for the federally defined disability claimed. All materials and information regarding disabilities will be governed by the University’s normal policies regarding privacy.
To request reasonable accommodations for a disabilities, students must fill out and submit the application and information forms and provide professional documentation of the disability (These forms can be found at http://www.centralmethodist.edu/learn/forms.php). The staff of the Center must receive the information before reasonable accommodations are provided. Please see the website for the Center for Learning and Teaching for more information (http://www.centralmethodist.edu/learn/index.php).
ASSIGNMENTS
Bass Transcriptions—50 points
Given the list of excerpts, choose an amount of basslines that fills the required total point value and transcribe each. Please include melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic notation (chord symbols). Be particularly aware of length of notes and articulation.
Drum Set Transcriptions—50 points
Given the list of excerpts, choose an amount of drum set parts that fills the required total point value and transcribe each. At a minimum, you should capture at least three voices (typically kick, snare, and a cymbal), but you are welcome to include more. Be particularly aware of dynamics and articulation.
Keyboard Arrangement—100 points
Using the excerpt(s) assigned to you, compose an arrangement of the harmony for both hands of the piano. Since voice leading is the purpose of this assignment, rhythmic aspect is not a requirement. This means that chords may be notated for their metric duration such as whole notes and half notes, etc.
Guitar Transcriptions—100 points
Given the list of excerpts, choose an amount of guitar parts that fills the required total point value and transcribe each. Please include melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic notation for each. Obviously this may manifest differently depending on the role of the instrument in the recording. Suggestions and further requirements will be offered in class.
Vocal Analysis Project—100 points
Given the list of excerpts, choose ten lead vocal parts and collect the following data from each as they apply: the highest concert pitch sung, the lowest concert pitch sung, portion sung below the break, portion sung above the break, portion that overlaps, large leaps.
Harmony Vocal/Soli Arrangement—200 points
Using the excerpt(s) assigned to you, compose a harmonized “soli” arrangement of the melody for vocals or instruments. This should consist of 3-4 independent parts depending on the excerpt. Suggestions and further requirements will be offered in class.
Lead Sheet/Work Tape Project—200 points
Create a lead sheet and work tape for Arrangement 2. For the lead sheet this should consist of either melody with chord symbols for instrumental selections or text with chord symbols for vocal selections. For the work tape please provide one track with the melody or vocals and one track with accompaniment. Accompaniment should represent the basic “feel” of your arrangement or composition and must be at least three minutes long.
Arrangement 1—300 points
Arrange a selection for bass, drums, keyboard, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, melody, and at least two harmony parts (that support a portion of the melody). Arrangement must be at least two minutes long. May be submitted as a notated score or recording with lead sheet.
Reduction Project—200 points
Using the excerpt(s) assigned to you, compose a reduced arrangement for three musicians. Your objective is to capture as many of the essentials of the original selection in a creative way. Basic form should not change. May be submitted as notated score or recording with lead sheet.
Harmonization Project—200 points
Using the excerpt(s) assigned to you, compose a harmonization of the melody. May be a conventional or modern harmonization, but it must work is a relatable way for the average audience. May be submitted as a notated score or recording with lead sheet.
Listening Paper—300 points
Choose five recordings of different styles that interest you and write a five page reflection of what qualities you observe throughout each selection. Identify style, groove, form, melody, rhythm, harmony, orchestration, dynamics, and other points of interest to you. What makes each significant and distinguishable from one another or other mainstream recordings in the respective genre?
Arrangement 2—500 points
Using your Lead Sheet/Work Tape Project, arrange a selection for bass, drums, keyboard, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, melody, and at least two harmony parts (that support a portion of the melody). Arrangement must be at least three minutes long. May be submitted as a notated score or recording with lead sheet.
Final Examination—500 points
Attend the final examination time and resubmit/present both arrangements with included corrections, developments, etc.
Grade Weight
Participation 40%
Assignments 60%