B/D level Jazz Piano requirements 2013

fulfilment of requirements, but also other aspects inherent in a good

performance including tone production, phrasing, dynamics and musicality.

Course Convenor: Assoc Prof. A. Lilley

Course description: Private lesson instruction provides the student with
individual guidance in developing technique, learning repertory and
acquiring a sense of musical direction. The content of individual lesson
instruction is clearly outlined for each level however the individual instructor
may develop supplementary material .

APRIL - TECHNICAL TEST: 10 marks

Scales and arpeggios, patterns,
Voicings and comping
Jazz study - notated
Sightreading notated and lead sheet

Course objective: Upon satisfactory completion of the course, the student

will have progressed, with the guidance of the instructor and with effective
individual practice, toward a greater mastery of the techniques, skills, and
musical/ artistic concerns which are vital to professionally viable
performance on your principal/ second level instrument. The student will also
have undergone and passed an impartial assessment of his/her abilities in
the performance skills areas particular to this level of study which will
confirm his/her progress in these areas.

JUNE EXAM 30 marks

Jazz study - notated
Jazz transcription
2 jazz repertoire items

Required materials: The instructor will provide study materials

Course work and Out-of-class Preparation: Included in the students
weekly lesson period will be assignments in technique, drill, repertoire and
concept assimilation. Attendance and fulfilment of assignments will be
closely monitored. Success will depend largely on the diligent maintenance
of a well-planned practice schedule. While individual requirements vary
widely, it is generally agreed that in order to maintain satisfactory progress
10 to 15 hours per week of individual practice, distributed on a daily basis,
are necessary.
Exam / test requirements: 80% attendance of scheduled lessons and a
minimum of 18 SACM concerts to earn a Duly Performed Certificate (DP).
Exams are performances. Students are required to organise their own
rhythm sections where necessary. Students must submit a repertoire list at
their final exam and must ensure that the allocated Exam time is correct and
that he/she is available at least 15 min before the scheduled time.
Examiners will pay attention not only to technical and rhythmic fluency,

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SEPTEMBER TEST: 10 marks

Scales and arpeggios, patterns,
Voicings and comping
Jazz study - notated
Sightreading notated and lead sheet

NOVEMBER EXAM 50 marks

Jazz study - notated
Jazz transcription
2 jazz repertoire items
Jazz item from repertoire list, examiners choice

Scales, arpeggios and patterns: ascending and descending throughout

the prescribed compass at a pace appropriate to the technical demands of
the level. Accuracy of pitch and rhythm will be examined. Any practical

fingering for non-traditional scales, which produces a good result will be

accepted.
.
Sightreading: Lead sheet and notated.
Studies Students will be marked for accuracy, time, dynamics and technical
proficiency.
Voicings and Comping: Students will be marked on ability to play
individual voicings and comp through harmonic cycles e.g. II-V7-I
Transcriptions: As approved by instructor. Students will be marked on
accuracy of style and time feel.
Repertoire (jazz) Students should present repertoire that is within the
tradition. Performance of each piece should observe the following points: On
the first time through the fully notated head should be accurately played
(some room for interpretation of standards is allowed). Variation in details of
phrasing, rhythm, voicings etc is fine provided the result is coherent and
musical. Improvisational material should be drawn from materials provided in
that class or other parallel classes. Tunes must be played with accurate
melody, harmony and improvisation.
The student must have developed a good repertoire of at least 100 tunes by
level B IV. You will be required to present a repertoire list at the exam, from
which the examiners will choose an item for examination. Students MUST
bring relevant play-alongs where needed.

Jazz Piano B Level technical

Scales: 4 octaves hands together with contrary motion (8th note and triplet)
and scales routines (chord related). In thirds and sixths (scales)
BI: All major, harmonic minor scales 4 octaves with contrary motion (Scale
Requirements B1vula) melodic minor scales (traditional and jazz) 4
octaves ascending and descending. Tonic triad arpeggios major, minor,
augmented, Blues and pentatonic scales 4 octaves
BII: Level BI plus altered, WT and dim scales, diatonic 7ths maj7, min7,
min7b5, dim7, maj/min7, min6, dom7, dom7b5,
BIII: All Level BII plus scales in 3rds, 6ths 4 octaves. Major scales
separate hands in 3rds 2 octaves. all modal scales (vula modal scales)
BIV: All Level BI-BIII plus exercised scale routines for functional chord
movements (vula II-V7alt ex. dim/WT/Alt scales, Pentatonic ex, diminished
scale ex 1,2,3, whole tone arpeggios)
Comping: Drop 2, LH rootless-RH octave, LH rootless-RH upper structure,
Bud Powell voicings. Comping through Blues, RC and selected repertoire or
progressions as appropriate to the level.
BI: Major 7th built in 3rds plus 4th-type from 3rd, 6th and 7th; min7 in 3rds, 5ths
and 4ths (So What); min7b5 in 3rds from root to 11, in 4ths from b5;
dominant 7th all combinations of alterations built from root 7-3/3-7 with upper
structures on b7, 9, #9, #11, b!3, 13, sus4, sus 4b9 (Rootless LH RH Upper
triad on 2, 3 part with LH root and rootless LH, V7 9#11 13 triad on 2 - vula)
BII: All B1 plus dorian row, mixolydian row. Combination exercises from
vulaII-7 V7#9#11, II-7 V7b9b13, II-9 V7b9#11, min11 V713, min11 V7#11
BIII: All BI-II plus comping through turnaround exercises appropriate to level
from JA vol 16.
BIV: All BI-III plus comping through parker tunes Blues, Rhythm, Donna Lee,
Confirmation, Yardbird.

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Jazz Piano D Level

Scales:
DI: C G F D A 2 Octaves hands separately, Gmaj - 1 octave Contrary
Motion, 3 note Broken chords: C G F maj separate hands. II V7 I in C and F
to the 7th - I octave ascending and descending.
DII: 8th notes where mm = 92 quarter notes. Major - E B Bb Ab 2 Octaves
hands separately and together. Harmonic minor - E A D 2 Octaves hands
separately and together. Chromatic scale - F# 2 Octaves hands separately
and together. Contrary motion - E maj 1 Octave. 4 Note broken chords - F
maj D min. II V7 I in Bb, Eb to the 7th - I octave ascending and descending
DIII: 8th where mm = 92 quarter notes. Major E, B, Bb, Ab - 2 Octaves
hands separately and together. Harmonic minor E, A, D 2 Octaves hands
separately and together. Chromatic scale - F# - 2 Octaves hands separately
and together. Contrary motion - E maj 1 Octave 4 Note broken chords - F
maj D min. II V7 I in G, Ab to the 7th - I octave ascend and descend
DIV: All major, harmonic and melodic minor scales, tonic triad arpeggios
major, minor, augmented,
Comping: Graded Jazz keyboard harmony - Phil de Greg, simple 3-7 and
rootless LH voicings
Sightreading: Lead Sheet and notated
Repertoire: Standard repertoire (approved by instructor). 4 notated and 8
lead sheet with shell voicings.

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