Bass Performance

Diploma - 60 Credits

Competency: Ensemble
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course will consist of student ensembles, each being led by one faculty member. The student ensembles are drawn from the performance departments. The faculty member may perform with the ensemble. The focus is on the group dynamic and is repertoire based of both previously recorded works and original compositions. This course consists of one weekly, two-hour rehearsal.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-1000
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory Lab 1 consists of five primary elements: Music theory, ear training, basic piano, sight singing and music notation. The class will cover the fundamentals of all the aforementioned elements. Some of the topics covered will be major keys/scales, intervals, transposition, sight-reading, and hand notation skills. Ear training components will consist of melodic, rhythmic and interval dictation. The students will sit at a workstation with a computer and piano keyboard. The dissemination of the material will be interactive and hands on. The ear training, sight singing, piano and notation are all used in such a way as to reinforce the music theory goals for the course. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-1062
Credits: 2

Course Description
Bass Forum 1 consists of two primary elements: technique and sight reading/transcription skills. The technique component covers the fundamentals of good bass guitar technique. Students are taught proper hand/body positioning and posture, and learn to develop flexibility, endurance, and muscle/tactile memory. Left/right hand techniques are addressed, as is an exploration of the neck through scales, arpeggios, and patterns. Various contemporary performance techniques are introduced (one hour lecture). Sight-reading skills are developed via a number of different approaches and exercises in a real-time setting, including chart/roadmap comprehension (two hour ASR lab). This course meets weekly for a one- hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-1063
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course provides an overview of the basics of jazz bass playing. Topics covered include introduction to the walking bass line, swing feel, time keeping and the role the bass in jazz, common turnarounds, the ii-V-I cadence, chord scale application, standard jazz song form, and beginning improv/use of guide tones in soloing. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture.

Competency: Ensemble
Course Number: 
MUS-1024B
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
American Roots and Blues Music ensemble workshop focuses on the primary repertoire, stylistic characteristics and authenticity of the roots and blues styles. Artists studied include: BB King, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and Big Mamma Thornton. Each week a new song is studied and performed. This course has two components: an instrument specific lecture and an ensemble workshop where students play with professional musician accompanists. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Ensemble
Course Number: 
MUS-1024L
Credits: 0.5

Course Description
American Roots and Blues Student Ensemble Lab places students from all music performance departments together in directed combos. Repertoire from the American Roots & Blues Ensemble class is rehearsed and performed. Students focus on performing as a band in the authenticity of the style. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-107
Credits: 1

Course Description
The History of American Roots and Blues Music offers students a glimpse of the styles, songs and singers that helped shape American popular music as we know it today. The course will focus primarily on early-to-mid 20th century genres—including African-American work songs and spirituals, minstrelsy, blues, traditional folk balladry, hillbilly music, protest songs, early rock ‘n’ roll—which will be explored via lectures, reading and research assignments, listening exercises, YouTube videos and biographical sketches. This course consists of a hybrid combination of on campus meetings and online coursework. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-126B
Credits: 2

Course Description
Throughout each level of this course, students meet one hour per week in a one-on-one setting for private instruction. Private lesson instruction is designed to reinforce and complement the variety of subjects and techniques encountered in the program, as well as to allow the student to explore more specific topics in depth with their instructor. Students are given the opportunity to change private instructors every six months, if so desired. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-230
Credits: 3

Course Description
This class explores the vast options of Logic Pro X. This DAW puts a complete recording and MIDI production studio on your Mac, with everything a pro musician needs to write, record, edit, mix, and notate like never before. All in an intuitive interface that puts the tools you need right where you need them. The course focuses on the creative aspects of using this DAW with an emphasis on scoring applications. There are numerous creative projects culminating to creating a fully produced score. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Ensemble, Musicianship, Instrument & Music Technology.

Total Credits: 15

Competency: Ensemble
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course will consist of student ensembles, each being led by one faculty member. The student ensembles are drawn from the performance departments. The faculty member may perform with the ensemble. The focus is on the group dynamic and is repertoire based of both previously recorded works and original compositions. This course consists of one weekly, two-hour rehearsal.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-1001
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory Lab 2 continues with the five primary elements of Applied Theory 1. Diatonic harmony, chord construction and progressions as well as chromaticism are introduced. Added requirements for ear training will be chord progression and chord recognition dictation. Students are asked to perform on the piano all ear training material to better comprehend the information. Computer notation is introduced. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory Lab 1.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-1064
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course is a continuation of concepts discussed in Forum 1. Students continue studying the fundamentals of good bass guitar technique, proper hand/body positioning and posture, emphasizing flexibility, endurance, and muscle/tactile memory. Left/right hand techniques are addressed, as is fingerboard literacy, and introduces various contemporary performance techniques (one hour lecture). Sight-reading is developed via a number of different approaches and exercises, including chart/roadmap comprehension (two hour ASR lab). This course meets weekly for a one- hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Prerequisite: Bass Forum 1.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-1065
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course continues with an overview of the basics of jazz bass playing, supporting the jazz/blues repertoire addressed in Jazz Styles 1 class. Topics covered include understanding the walking bass line, swing feel, time keeping and the role the bass in jazz, common turnarounds, the ii-V-I cadence, chord scale application, standard jazz song form, and beginning improv/use of guide tones in soloing. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Jazz Bass 1.

Competency: Ensemble
Course Number: 
MUS-1025B
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Jazz 1 Ensemble Workshop focuses on the primary repertoire, stylistic characteristics and authenticity of Jazz styles. Artists studied include: Sonny Rollins, Billie Holiday, Joe Henderson and Ella Fitzgerald. Each week a new song is studied and performed. This course has two components: an instrument specific lecture and an ensemble workshop where students play with professional musician accompanists. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Ensemble
Course Number: 
MUS-1025L
Credits: 0.5

Course Description
Jazz 1 Student Ensemble Lab places students from all music performance departments together in directed combos. Repertoire from the Jazz 1 Ensemble Workshop class is rehearsed and performed. Students focus on performing as a band in the authenticity of the style. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lab.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-108
Credits: 1

Course Description
The History of Jazz 1 will examine jazz from its origins thru the 1940’s. Special attention will be given to such artists as Scott Joplin (the Joplin Rag), Jelly Roll Morton, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Louis Armstrong. Class time will be spent listening to and analyzing a wide variety of recordings as well as watching video presentations. This course consists of a hybrid combination of on campus meetings and online coursework. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-127B
Credits: 2

Course Description
Throughout each level of this course, students meet one hour per week in a one-on-one setting for private instruction. Private lesson instruction is designed to reinforce and complement the variety of subjects and techniques encountered in the program, as well as to allow the student to explore more specific topics in depth with their instructor. Students are given the opportunity to change private instructors every six months, if so desired. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-306
Credits: 3

Course Description
This class explores the vast creative options of Ableton Live. This DAW is designed for creating musical ideas, turning them into finished songs, and even taking them onto the stage. It is a fast, fun, intuitive way to make music with efficient workflow enhancements to audio improvements and a new technology called Link which works under the hood, allowing you to instantly play in perfect sync with multiple instances of Live as well as a growing number of iOS apps. There are numerous creative projects culminating to creating a fully produced demo of an original song. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Ensemble, Musicianship, Instrument & Music Technology.

Total Credits: 15

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
COMP-103
Credits: 2

Course Description
Learning how to build a custom Digital Audio Workstation for the purpose of recording and producing their own song material is crucial to today’s professional songwriter. Many writing opportunities require the writer to be able to deliver new edits, key changes, arrangement alterations and style variations in the matter of hours. Songwriters who are not proficient in basic engineering and producing skills and do not have a personal “rig” to work with will be at a disadvantage. This course will explore the options for software and hardware platforms in order to prepare the students for choosing the setup most effective for their personal style and skill set. This course will consist of two, one and a half-hour weekly lectures/ labs. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Ensemble
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course will consist of student ensembles, each being led by one faculty member. The student ensembles are drawn from the performance departments. The faculty member may perform with the ensemble. The focus is on the group dynamic and is repertoire based of both previously recorded works and original compositions. This course consists of one weekly, two-hour rehearsal.

Competency: Ensemble
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course will consist of student ensembles, each being led by one faculty member. The student ensembles are drawn from the performance departments. The faculty member may perform with the ensemble. The focus is on the group dynamic and is repertoire based of both previously recorded works and original compositions. This course consists of one weekly, two-hour rehearsal.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-1002
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory 3 continues to build on the five primary elements of Applied Theory 1 and 2. Minor keys/scales, modes, progressions in major and minor tonality, modulation, constitutes some of the new information in Applied Theory 3. Melodies, rhythms, intervals, progressions, chord qualities continue to grow in complexity as we move through these upper levels of Applied Theory 3. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory Lab 2. 

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-1066
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course is a continuation of concepts discussed in Forum 2. Students focus on left/right hand techniques, tone production, and fingerboard literacy through scales, arpeggios, and patterns. Basic slapping, tapping, harmonics, chording, and other more specialized techniques are introduced. Sight-reading skills are further developed via a number of different approaches (two hour ASR lab). This course meets weekly for a one- hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Prerequisite: Bass Forum 2.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-1067
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course continues with an overview of the basics of jazz bass playing, supporting the jazz repertoire/concepts addressed in Jazz Styles 2 class. Topics covered include walking bass line, swing feel, time keeping, common turnarounds, the ii-V-I cadence, chord scale application, and more complex jazz song form, with a focus on improv/use of guide tones in soloing. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Jazz Bass 2.

Competency: Ensemble
Course Number: 
MUS-1026B
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Jazz 2 Ensemble Workshop builds on the repertoire studied in Jazz 1. This course focuses on the primary repertoire, stylistic characteristics and authenticity of Jazz styles. Artists studied include: Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker. This course has two components: an instrument specific lecture and an ensemble workshop where students play with professional musician accompanists. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Jazz 1 Ensemble Workshop

Competency: Ensemble
Course Number: 
MUS-1026L
Credits: 0.5

Course Description
Jazz 2 Student Ensemble Lab places students from all music performance departments together in directed combos. Repertoire from the Jazz 1 Ensemble Workshop class is rehearsed and performed. Students focus on performing as a band in the authenticity of the style. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lab

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-109
Credits: 1

Course Description
The History of Jazz 2 surveys the development of jazz music from the 1950’s and 1960’s, investigates representative composers, and examines the musical characteristics, compositional practices, and instrumental/vocal techniques associated with Be Bop, Cool and Modal jazz. Students will study such artists as Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, Chet Baker, Stan Getz and Miles Davis. These topics will be explored via lectures, reading and research assignments, listening exercises and YouTube videos. This course consists of a hybrid combination of on campus meetings and online coursework. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-128B
Credits: 2

Course Description
Throughout each level of this course, students meet one hour per week in a one-on-one setting for private instruction. Private lesson instruction is designed to reinforce and complement the variety of subjects and techniques encountered in the program, as well as to allow the student to explore more specific topics in depth with their instructor. Students are given the opportunity to change private instructors every six months, if so desired. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Music Technology, Ensemble, Musicianship & Instrument.

Total Credits: 15

Competency: Ensemble
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course will consist of student ensembles, each being led by one faculty member. The student ensembles are drawn from the performance departments. The faculty member may perform with the ensemble. The focus is on the group dynamic and is repertoire based of both previously recorded works and original compositions. This course consists of one weekly, two-hour rehearsal.

Competency: Ensemble
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course will consist of student ensembles, each being led by one faculty member. The student ensembles are drawn from the performance departments. The faculty member may perform with the ensemble. The focus is on the group dynamic and is repertoire based of both previously recorded works and original compositions. This course consists of one weekly, two-hour rehearsal.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-2000
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory 4 continues to build on the five primary elements of Applied Theory 1, 2 and 3. Tri-tone substitutions, composition, atonal music, modal interchange and secondary dominants are some of the new concepts in Applied Theory 4. Upon completion of Applied Theory 4, the student should arrive at level of musicianship expected of a working professional. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory 3. 

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-2040
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course is a continuation of concepts discussed in Forum 3. Students focus on left/right hand techniques, tone production, and fingerboard literacy through scales, arpeggios, and patterns. Intermediate-level slapping, tapping, harmonics, chording, and other more specialized techniques as also addressed. Sight-reading skills are further developed via a number of different approaches (two hour ASR lab). This course meets weekly for a one- hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Prerequisite: Bass Forum 3.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-169
Credits: 1

Course Description
This two level course introduces the basics of functional Synthesizer Bass playing with an emphasis on real-world application, an important addition to the skills offered by today’s professional bassist. The student is guided through basic analog and app-based synth operation, and given an overview of the history, development, and most influential artists. Using synth bass repertoire as a vehicle, the student will learn to emulate and perform synth lines from the classics through today’s most current synth bass trends. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Ensemble
Course Number: 
MUS-2020B
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
Rock and Pop 1 Ensemble Workshop focuses on the primary repertoire, stylistic characteristics and authenticity of these styles. Artists studied include: Chuck Berry, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. This course has two components: an instrument specific lecture and an ensemble workshop where students play with professional musician accompanists. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Ensemble
Course Number: MUS-2020L
Credits: 0.5

Course Description
Rock and Pop 1 Student Ensemble Lab places students from all music performance departments together in directed combos. Repertoire from the Rock and Pop 1 Ensemble Workshop class is rehearsed and performed. Students focus on performing as a band in the authenticity of the style. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lab.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-110
Credits: 1

Course Description
History of Rock and Pop Music 1 focuses on the beginnings of Rock & Roll music. Students will study Rock Music in the 1950’s with artists such as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry. Rock History 1 then moves to the “Golden Age” of rock music and focus on the 1960’s and the British Invasion, Folk Rock and Psychedelic Rock movements. This course finishes with the 1970’s and Classic Rock, Glam Rock and Prog (progressive) Rock. These topics will be explored via lectures, reading and research assignments, listening exercises and YouTube videos. This course consists of a hybrid combination of on campus meetings and online coursework. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
MUS-225B
Credits: 2

Course Description
Throughout each level of this course, students meet one hour per week in a one-on-one setting for private instruction. Private lesson instruction is designed to reinforce and complement the variety of subjects and techniques encountered in the program, as well as to allow the student to explore more specific topics in depth with their instructor. Students are given the opportunity to change private instructors every six months, if so desired. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour private lesson.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-107
Credits: 2

Course Description
Level 1 of this course serves as an introduction to MIDI and virtual instrument-based composition using a digital audio workstation (Pro Tools). Students are taught both the best practices and the workings of MIDI systems, which subsequently lays the groundwork for their own MIDI-based productions. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture and two-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Ensemble, Musicianship, Instrument & Music Technology.

Total Credits: 15