Main Subject Saxophone Jazz & Pop 4

Module code
M-JP-SAX4
Curricular domain
Practical Classes
Credits
17
Group size
1
Number of course weeks
30
Class duration
One 50-minute lesson per week
Total contact hours
25 hours
Study load
451 hours

Form / content / level

Prerequisites
Admitted to the ArtEZ Jazz & Pop Saxophone main subject year 4.
Competencies
See Competencies Matrix.
Aims
Achieving the predetermined technical completion level, learning to independently resolve musical/technical problems and showcasing an individual musical taste which is translated to a personal playing style. Students will be able to independently prepare and perform the final audition. They should be able to play ca. 80-100 standards or self-chosen pieces by heart and to improvise over them.
Relation to other modules
The contents of the main subject lessons are for the most part tailored to the final audition, and may be related to other classes, e.g., Arranging or Band Coaching.
Content
TECHNIQUE:
Studying individual musicians' styles/transcriptions with respect to their use of techniques.
Mastering the use of the instrument's different timbres.
Modern saxophone technique, e.g., practicing in pentatonic scales and perfect fourths; triad pairs; augmented scales, multiphonics, self-chosen practice exercises.
READING SKILLS:
Self-chosen pieces and parts; big band parts by e.g., Toshiko Akiyoshi, Maria Schneider, Thad Jones, Bob Brookmeyer.
IMPROVISATION:
Advanced modal techniques; using outside playing techniques;
free techniques;
developing and expanding original concepts;
Rhythm changes and blues in all keys;
various pieces in different keys;
complex chord progressions in up-tempo pieces (e.g., Moment's Notice, Lazy Bird, Freight Train, Giant Steps);
fusion styles;
motivic improvisation without tonal reference;
studying various concepts, e.g., Hal Crook: How to Improvise and George Russell: Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization.
REPERTOIRE:
Post-1960 standards, e.g., Inner Urge, Piccadilly Lilly, self-chosen pieces; contemporary music; original pieces by the student;
fusion and Latin repertoire; composing an effective final exam program;
memorizing ca. 80 standards or other pieces.
Mode(s) of instruction
Individual lessons & occasional group lessons.
Material & Tools
Real Books, Aebersold Play-a-Longs, Band-in-a-Box or Garage Band software , Hal Crook: How to Improvise, George Russel: Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization, etc.; recordings of the pieces to be performed.
Student activity
Organizing a short performance (band, repertoire, rehearsals) as part of the annual Jazz & Pop student concert; independently organizing a performance (five pieces) for the year 3-4 transition audition exam.

Examination and assessment

Mode(s) of assessment
Assessment by the main subject instructor at the end of each semester.
Criteria
The student should have mastered the elements described under Aims. Specific criteria are: creativity, expression, improvisation, technique, sound, intonation, timing, reading skills, repertoire knowledge, progress, self-reflection, session participation, attitude and lesson preparation.
Pass requirements
The student has completed this module if being awarded a minimum grade of 5.5 at the end of the second semester.
Examination procedure
At the end of both semesters the instructor fills out an assessment form designed specifically for this module. Assessment is comprised of a verbal evaluation and a concluding grade. The instructor reviews this assessment with the student during the first subsequent lesson. Assessment at the end of the autumn semester is formative and expressed in terms of satisfactory/unsatisfactory. It indicates a student's progress in this module. No ECs are awarded and there is no resit. Modules can only be absolved, and ECs awarded, after the end of the spring semester.
Resit options
See the Education and Assessment Plan.

Module summary

This module is intended to prepare students through weekly lessons for the final audition exam, with particular attention for the development of musical and technical skills required to perform the final exam program. Attention will also be paid to aspects directly related to the final audition, including (but not limited to) composing a good performance program and stage presentation.