Resources

This page serves as a resource for current students in the SDSU Jazz Studies program or for those interested in specific requirements of the department for admission. Unless otherwise indicated, each link corresponds to an Adobe PDF document with the approximate file size for download. If you do not have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, please download it here.

Scale Syllabi and Jury Requirements For Jazz Majors and General Music Majors:

Primary Instrument Scale/Jury Requirements, For All One-Hour Lessons & Those Splitting On Same Instrument

All scale requirements are cumulative. (Comprehensive testing on all previous scales)
All juries include sight-reading.

Semester I Jury

1. Major Scale
2. Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian Mode)
3. Harmonic Minor Scale
4. Jazz Melodic Minor Scale
5. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys. One must be memorized. Consult with your private studio instructor.

Semester II Jury

1. Dorian Mode
2. Lydian Mode
3. Mixolydian Mode
4. Phrygian Mode
5. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys. One must be memorized. Consult with your private studio instructor.

Semester III Jury

1. Lydian Dominant Mode
2. Symmetrical Dominant Mode
3. Blues Scale
4. Altered Dominant Mode
5. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
6. Divisional Recital—Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor. You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

Semester IV Jury (Junior Level)

1. Lydian Augmented
2. Locrian Mode
3. Locrian Mode with natural 2nd (a.k.a. Aeolian Mode with flat 5)
4. Whole Tone Scale
5. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
6. Divisional Recital—Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor. You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

THIS JURY DETERMINES WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL ADVANCE TO UPPER DIVISION LESSONS AND, FOR JAZZ STUDIES MAJORS, TO BE APPROVED TO PERFORM JUNIOR AND SENIOR RECITALS.

Semesters V, VI, VII, and VIII Juries

1. Comprehensive review of all undergraduate modes and scales.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital (No divisional or jury required if performing Junior or Senior Recital). Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor.  You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

B. M. Jazz Studies Only

Junior Recital

• Refer to Recital Parameters and Guidelines and consult with private studio instructor.
• (No Jury or Divisional Recital Required for this semester).

Senior Recital
• Refer to Recital Parameters and Guidelines and consult with private studio instructor.
• (No Jury or Divisional Recital Required for this semester)

Transfer Students

Semester I Jury

1. Comprehensive review of undergraduate modes and scales, Semesters I and II.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital—Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor.  You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

Semesters II, III, and IV Juries

1. Comprehensive review of all undergraduate modes and scales.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital (No divisional or Jury required if performing Jr. or Sr. Recital)—Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor. You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

M. M. Jazz Studies Only

Semester I Jury

1. Comprehensive review of undergraduate modes and scales, Semesters I and II.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital—Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor. You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

Semesters II, III, and IV Juries

1. Comprehensive review of all undergraduate modes and scales.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital (No divisional or Jury required if performing Graduate Recital)—Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor.  You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

Graduate Recital

• Refer to Recital Parameters and Guidelines and consult with private studio instructor.
• (No Jury or Divisional Recital Required for this semester)

Oral Examination
60 minutes (with your recital committee) - Room M228

• Please give us your opinion as to the strength and weaknesses of the MM program in Jazz Studies.
• Submit a transcription of one of your solos performed on your recital.  Include an mp3 of the performance and an analysis (harmonically, rhythmically, melodically and scale/chord relationships).
• Submit an analysis of one of your original compositions performed.  Include an mp3 of the performance and an analysis (harmonically, rhythmically, melodically and scale/chord relationships).
• Submit a list of jazz ensemble literature for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels (5-10 from each area).
• Submit a list of jazz combo literature for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels (5-10 from each area).
• Submit a list of books and publishers in the jazz history area for undergraduate jazz majors, graduate jazz majors and for GE classes (5-10 from each area).
• Submit a list of books and publishers in the jazz theory area for undergraduate jazz majors and graduate jazz majors (5-10 from each area).
• Be able to speak about the major artists and stylist trends in the following eras of jazz:
  Origins of Jazz, Early Jazz, the Swing era, Bop, Cool, Hard Bop, the Avant-Garde, Jazz-Rock Fusion and who you think are the most significant performers/composers on the contemporary scene today.

JURY PROCEDURE INFORMATION

Repertoire
Jazz faculty will accompany you on your selected repertoire.  Please have chord or lead sheets available.  Your selections must be in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized and the other can be read.  Remember, these pieces must be different from those performed at your divisional recital.

Scale and Modes
At each jury you will be expected to play the assigned modes and scales in all keys. When playing the modes and scales, they must be played at a steady tempo.  The minimum required tempo allowed is note = 110 in straight eighth notes.  You are free to play at faster tempos if you wish, but remember, all scales must be played at a consistent tempo.

SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS IN REGARDS TO MODES AND SCALES

• Piano—All modes and scales are to be played hands together in parallel motion, two octaves.
• Guitar—All modes and scales are to be played two octaves. Be prepared to play in at least two different positions if asked.
• Bass—All modes and scales are to be played two octaves. Be prepared to play in at least two different positions if asked.
• Vibes—All modes and scales are to be played two octaves.
• Brass and Woodwinds—Octaves will be required except where range limits. At the point where two octaves are beyond an instrument’s range, an octave and a half will be required.
• Drum Set—Performance of different styles and time feels (swing, shuffle, jazz waltz, bossa, samba, funk, trading of 4’s soloing, etc.) and sight-reading.

Primary Instrument Scale Syllabus, For All One-Hour Lessons & Those Splitting On Same Instrument

Click for pdf.

Secondary Instrument Scale/Jury Requirements, Half-Hour Lessons & Those Splitting On Different Instruments (like vibes & drum set)

All scales requirements are cumulative. (Comprehensive testing on all previous scales)
All juries include sight-reading.

Semester I Jury

1. Major Scale
2. Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian Mode)
3. Harmonic Minor Scale
4. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles and tempos. One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor. 

Semester II Jury

1. Jazz Melodic Minor Scale
2. Dorian Mode
3. Lydian Mode
4. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles and tempos. One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor. 

Semester III Jury

1. Mixolydian Mode
2. Phrygian Mode
3. Lydian Dominant Mode
4. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles and tempos. One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces are not allowed for divisional recitals.
5. Divisional Recital—Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles and tempos. One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor.  You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

   
Semester IV Jury (Junior Level)

1. Symmetrical Dominant Mode
2. Blues Scale
3. Altered Dominant Mode
4. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles and tempos. One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces are not allowed for divisional recitals.
5. Divisional Recital—Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles and tempos. One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor.  You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

THIS JURY DETERMINES WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL ADVANCE TO UPPER DIVISION LESSONS AND, FOR JAZZ STUDIES MAJORS, TO BE APPROVED TO PERFORM JUNIOR AND SENIOR RECITALS.

 
Semesters V, VI, VII, and VIII Juries

1. Comprehensive review of all undergraduate modes and scales.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys. One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor. These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital (No divisional or jury required if performing Junior or Senior Recital). Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor.  You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

B. M. Jazz Studies Only

Junior Recital

• Refer to Recital Parameters and Guidelines and consult with private studio instructor.
• (No Jury or Divisional Recital Required for this semester).

Senior Recital

• Refer to Recital Parameters and Guidelines and consult with private studio instructor.
• (No Jury or Divisional Recital Required for this semester).

Transfer Students

Semester I Jury

1. Comprehensive review of undergraduate modes and scales, Semesters I and II.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital - Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor.  You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

Semesters II, III, and IV Juries

1. Comprehensive review of all undergraduate modes and scales.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital (No divisional or Jury required if performing Jr. or Sr. Recital.  Non-Jazz Majors will play a divisional recital every semester) - Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor. You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

M. M. Jazz Studies Only

Semester I Jury

1. Comprehensive review of undergraduate modes and scales, Semesters I and II.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys. One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument. One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital - Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor.  You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

Semesters II, III, and IV Juries

1. Comprehensive review of all undergraduate modes and scales.
2. Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys. One must be memorized.  Consult with your private studio instructor.  These pieces must differ from divisional recital repertoire.
3. Divisional Recital (No divisional or jury required if performing Graduate Recital)—Performance of two tunes in contrasting styles, tempos and keys. One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument. One must be memorized.  Refer to the Recital Parameters and Guidelines on the Jazz Studies webpage and consult with your private studio instructor.  You must prepare two different pieces for the jury.

Graduate Recital

• Refer to Recital Parameters and Guidelines and consult with private studio instructor.
• (No Jury or Divisional Recital Required for this semester)

JURY PROCEDURE INFORMATION

Repertoire
Jazz faculty will accompany you on your selected repertoire.  Please have chord or lead sheets available.  Your selections must be in contrasting styles, tempos and keys.  One performed on the secondary instrument and one performed on the primary instrument.  One must be memorized and the other can be read.  Remember, these pieces must be different from those performed at your divisional recital.

Scale and Modes
At each jury you will be expected to play the assigned modes and scales in all keys. When playing the modes and scales, they must be played at a steady tempo.  The minimum required tempo allowed is note = 110 BPM in straight eighth notes.  You are free to play at faster tempos if you wish, but remember, all scales must be played at a consistent tempo.

SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS IN REGARDS TO MODES AND SCALES

• Piano—All modes and scales are to be played hands together in parallel motion, two octaves.
• Guitar—All modes and scales are to be played two octaves. Be prepared to play in at least two different positions if asked.
• Bass—All modes and scales are to be played two octaves. Be prepared to play in at least two different positions if asked.
• Vibes—All modes and scales are to be played two octaves.
• Brass and Woodwinds—Two octaves will be required except where range limits. At the point where two octaves are beyond an instrument’s range, an octave and a half will be required.
• Drum Set—Performance of different styles and time feels (swing, shuffle, jazz waltz, bossa, samba, funk, trading of 4’s soloing, etc.) and sight-reading.

Secondary Instrument Scale Syllabus, Half-Hour Lessons & Those Splitting On Different Instruments (like vibes & drum set)

Click for pdf.

Recital Parameters and Guidelines:

• Divisional Jazz Recital Requirements and Policies
• Divisional Jazz Recital Requirements and Policies (Drum Kit)
• Junior Recital Requirements and Policies
• Junior Recital Requirements and Policies (Drum Kit)
• Senior Recital Requirements and Policies
• Senior Recital Requirements and Policies (Drum Set)
• Graduate Recital Requirements and Policies
• Graduate Recital Requirements and Policies (Drum Set)

Course Syllabi:

• Mus 151 - American Popular Music
• Mus 166 - Elements of Jazz I
• Mus 266 - Elements of Jazz II
• Mus 351 - Jazz in America
• Mus 366 - Elements of Jazz III
• Mus 170 / 370 / 570 - Jazz Combo
• Mus 189 / 389 / 589 - Jazz Ensemble
• Mus 466 - Elements of Jazz IV
• Mus 566A - Jazz Arranging and Composition I
• Mus 566B - Jazz Arranging and Composition II
• Mus 614 - Seminar in Conceptual Analysis of Jazz