May 03, 2026  
2026-27 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2026-27 Undergraduate Catalog

MUS 3332 - Jazz/Popular Theory and Improvisation I

3 Credit Hour(s)

This course blends study of jazz/popular music theory with creative experiential participation in improvisation. Students learn to read and interpret basic jazz/popular music rhythms and notation (triads, seventh chords, extensions, substitutions, etc.). Students will study and learn how to create bass lines, jazz/pop chords, piano comping, transcribe/analyze historically significant jazz solos, and put this knowledge into creative practice through improvising over changes on their primary instrument. Genres of vamps in major/minor keys, blues, swing, AABA-song form and modally-based compositions will be explored.
Prerequisite(s): MUS 1103 , MUS 1106 , MUS 1108