MUEN 2611, Rhythm Section Master Class

General Information
[Not currently offered as of Spring 2018] This class is team-taught by rhythm section faculty and is designed to focus on specific topics that relate to the rhythm section in a small jazz group. Some of these are: group communication, individual instrument roles (piano and guitar comping techniques, bass lines, whether to "break it up", etc.), performance styles (ballads, medium tempo "tippin'" grooves, jazz waltz, up tempo burners, free playing, latin, etc.), and classic rhythm section analysis (early New Orleans, Basie, early bebop, post bop, Miles' ensembles of the '50s and '60s, Oscar Peterson, Wes Montgomery, etc.). There are four or five groups formed for the class (usually composed of piano, guitar, bass and drums) that rehearse and perform for critique and videotaping. Admission in the course is by consent of the instructors.
Goals
Develop stronger communication skills within the section
Work on a variety of forms, tempos and styles
Rehearse on a weekly basis with your assigned group and become a "band"
Grading System
Each group will perform three times during the semester for a grade and critique on assigned days (30%).
Each group will split a class period for a midterm performance (30%).
Each group will use an entire class period for a final performance (40%).
Attendance Policy
Three absences during the semester are allowed, all subsequent absences will reduce the semester grade by a half letter unless discussed with me. When your group is not designated to play, you are still expected to attend class.
Problems of excessive absence should be taken care of with the professors, or the class should be dropped prior to the final date.
Grades of Incomplete
Rhythm Section Masterclass must be completed during the semester enrolled.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The College of Music complies with the ADA in making reasonable accomodation for qualified students with disability. If you have an established disability as defined in the ADA and would like to request accommodation, please see the instructor as soon as possible.
Semester Outline
[Week]
[Class Period], [Subject Matter]
Week 1
1st Course Introduction
2nd On days when specific groups are not specified, everyone bring instruments and be ready to play.
Week 2
1st Group playing
2nd Group playing
Week 3
1st Group playing
2nd Group playing
Week 4
1st Performance Evaluation #1- Group 1 and 2, one med. groove
2nd Performance Evaluation #1- Group 3 and 4, same
Week 5
1st Group playing
2nd Group playing
Week 6
1st Performance Evaluation #2 - Group 4 and 1, one burner
2nd Performance Evaluation #2 - Group 3 and 2, same
Week 7
1st Group playing
2nd Group playing
Week 8
1st Midterm Performances- Group 3 and 4, (20 min., one latin and one up tempo burner, mm 280)
2nd Midterm Performances - Group 1 and 2, same
Week 9
1st Group playing
2nd Group playing
Week 10
1st Performance Evaluation #3 - Group 4 and 1 one ballad each)
2nd Performance Evaluation #3 - Group 4 and 1 one ballad each)
Week 11
1st Group playing
2nd Group playing
Week 12
1st Group playing
2nd Final Performance- Group 1 (40 min.), Allow time for instructor's comments at the end of the set.
Week 13
1st Final Performance- Group 2
2nd Final Performance- Group 3
Week 14
1st Final Performance- Group 4
2nd Free playing
Week 15
1st Free playing
2nd Free playing