Course Requirements
The Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation minor focuses on the study of the history, theory, and performance of jazz and other improvised musics. In addition, students may be introduced to musical styles that have had profound influences on the uniquely American art form of jazz: folk and popular musics of Africa, Europe, South Asia and the United States and Western classical music. The Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation minor is limited to students who have sufficient performance proficiency to pass auditions for entry into the jazz ensembles.
Lower-Division Courses
MUSC 13 is designed for students with barely any or no music theory experience. MUSC 14 and MUSC 15 are meant for students with some music theory experience—you only need to take one of MUSC 14 or MUSC 15, not both.
Students may test out of MUSC 13, MUSC 14, and MUSC 15 by placing directly into MUSC 30A via the Theory Placement Exam.
The Theory Placement Exam is offered twice per year—in fall quarter, the Tuesday before classes start; and in the beginning of spring quarter. See the Music Department website for exam details.
| MUSC 11B | Introduction to Jazz | 5 |
| MUSC 13 | Beginning Theory & Musicianship I | 5 |
| MUSC 14 | Beginning Theory & Musicianship II | 5 |
| MUSC 15 | Preparatory Musicianship | 5 |
| MUSC 30A | Theory, Literature, and Musicianship | 5 |
Take one of the following options
Take one of the following courses:
Or
In place of MUSC 74 or MUSC 75, students may elect to take two quarters of the following course (which may be repeated for credit):
Upper-Division Courses
Take one of the following courses:
| MUSC 174 | Intermediate Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation | 5 |
| MUSC 175 | Jazz Theory II | 5 |
Take two of the following courses:
| MUSC 105A | Music of the United States | 5 |
| MUSC 105C | Folk and Traditional Music in California | 5 |
| MUSC 105I | Improvisation and Collaborative Practices in the 20th Century | 5 |
| MUSC 203H | Area Studies in Performance Practice | 5 |
| MUSC 111B | Seminar in Jazz Analysis | 5 |
| MUSC 150I | Special Topics in Music Theory: Hindustani Music | 5 |
| MUSC 150S | Focus on Spontaneous Composition | 5 |
| MUSC 203B | Performance Practice in the Renaissance | 5 |
| MUSC 203H | Area Studies in Performance Practice | 5 |
MUSC 203H may be repeated for credit if taken with a different instructor.
Ensembles
Students in the Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation minor are required to take six quarters of ensembles, at least three quarters of which must be jazz-focused ensembles (MUSC 3 or MUSC 164). The other three quarters can be any ensemble.
If a student elected to take two quarters of MUSC 3 instead of MUSC 74 or MUSC 75, they are only required to do one additional quarter of a jazz ensemble, plus the three quarters of elective ensembles.