The Jazz, Spontaneous Composition, and Improvisation minor focuses on the study of the history, theory, and performance of jazz and other improvised musics.
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, MUSC 3 and MUSC 164.
All upper-division courses attempted toward the minor must be taken for a letter grade. Lower-division courses can be taken for a letter grade or Pass/No Pass.
Lower-Division Courses
Lower-Division History
Take one of the following courses
Lower-Division Theory
While MUSC 14, Beginning Western Theory and Musicianship, is the recommended starting place for students with only some prior music theory experience, students may test out of MUSC 14 by placing directly into MUSC 30A, Theory, Literature and Musicianship I, via the Music 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 either winter or spring quarter. See the Music Department website for exam details. If a student places into MUSC 30A via the exam, they are not required to take MUSC 14.
MUSC 60, Fundamental Keyboard Skills, is recommended to be taken alongside Western theory courses.
| MUSC 14 | Beginning Western Theory and Musicianship | 5 |
| MUSC 30A | Theory, Literature, and Musicianship I | 5 |
Lower-Division Musicianship
The following course alongside MUSC 30A
Lower-Division Theory and Improvisation
Take one of the following courses
| MUSC 20C | Beginning Jazz Theory | 5 |
| MUSC 74 | Beginning Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation | 5 |
Or two quarters of the following course
Upper-Division Courses
Upper-Division Theory and Improvisation
Take one of the following courses
| MUSC 150J | Intermediate Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation | 5 |
| MUSC 150K | Intermediate Jazz Theory | 5 |
Upper-Division Electives
Take three (3) of the courses from the following list.
| MUSC 101C | Western Music History (1910-present) | 5 |
| MUSC 105A | Music of the United States | 5 |
| MUSC 105C | Folk and Traditional Music in California | 5 |
| MUSC 105H | Hip Hop Music and Culture in the 20th Century | 5 |
| MUSC 105I | Improvisation and Collaborative Practices in the 20th Century | 5 |
| MUSC 105V | Mexican Music and Conviviality | 5 |
| MUSC 121A | Jazz Analysis | 5 |
| MUSC 150D | Theory of Southeast Asia | 5 |
| MUSC 150I | Hindustani Music Theory | 5 |
| MUSC 150J | Intermediate Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation | 5 |
| MUSC 150K | Intermediate Jazz Theory | 5 |
| MUSC 150P | 20th-Century Popular Song | 5 |
| MUSC 150S | Focus on Spontaneous Composition | 5 |
| MUSC 150Z | Interdisciplinary Arts Production Lab | 5 |
| MUSC 203B | Performance Practice in the Renaissance | 5 |
| MUSC 203F | Performance Practice in the 20th Century | 5 |
| MUSC 203H | Area Studies in Performance Practice | 5 |
Performing Ensembles
Students in the Jazz, Spontaneous Composition, and Improvisation minor are required to take six quarters of performing ensembles: at least three quarters of a jazz-focused ensemble (MUSC 3 or MUSC 164), and three completely elective ensembles. Both MUSC 3 and MUSC 164 can be repeated for credit.
Jazz Ensembles
Take three quarters of MUSC 3 and/or MUSC 164. If a student elects to take two quarters of MUSC 3 instead of MUSC 74 or MUSC 20C, they are only required to do one additional quarter of a jazz ensemble, plus the three quarters of elective ensembles.
Contact the instructors of these ensembles directly for audition information.
Elective Ensembles
In addition to the three quarters of a jazz-focused ensemble, students pursuing this minor must take three elective ensembles. Students may repeat any of the ensembles listed below for credit.
Planner
The table below is for informational purposes and do not reflect all university, general education, and credit requirements. See Undergraduate Graduation Requirements for more information.
Two-Year Jazz Minor Plan
~Satisfies lower-division history requirement; can be replaced with other courses from this list (see above).
* May be satisfied by placing directly into MUSC 30A via the Theory Placement Exam.
^Satisfies upper-division elective requirement; can be replaced with other courses from this list (see above).
General Education (GE) Codes
MUSC 11B, MUSC 11C, and MUSC 11E all satisfy the ER GE code.
Most, but not all, ensembles satisfy the PR-C or PR-E code GE requirement. Students should check to confirm which courses from the ensembles course list satisfy GE codes.