Achieving the predetermined technical completion level, learning to independently resolve musical/technical problems and showcasing an individual musical taste which is translated to a personal playing style. Students will be able to independently prepare and perform the final audition. They should be able to play ca. 80-100 standards or self-chosen pieces by heart and to improvise over them.

The contents of the main subject lessons are for the most part tailored to the final audition, and may be related to other classes, e.g., Arranging or Band Coaching.

TECHNIQUE:
Studying individual musicians' styles/transcriptions with respect to their use of techniques.
Mastering the use of the instrument's different timbres.
Modern Clarinet technique, e.g., practicing in pentatonic scales and perfect fourths; triad pairs; augmented scales, multiphonics, self-chosen practice exercises.
READING SKILLS:
Self-chosen pieces and parts; big band parts by e.g., Toshiko Akiyoshi, Maria Schneider, Thad Jones, Bob Brookmeyer.
IMPROVISATION:
Advanced modal techniques; using outside playing techniques;
free techniques;
developing and expanding original concepts;
Rhythm changes and blues in all keys;
various pieces in different keys;
complex chord progressions in up-tempo pieces (e.g., Moment's Notice, Lazy Bird, Freight Train, Giant Steps);
fusion styles;
motivic improvisation without tonal reference;
studying various concepts, e.g., Hal Crook: How to Improvise and George Russell: Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization.
REPERTOIRE:
Post-1960 standards, e.g., Inner Urge, Piccadilly Lilly, self-chosen pieces; contemporary music; original pieces by the student;
fusion and Latin repertoire; composing an effective final exam program;
memorizing ca. 80 standards or other pieces.

Individual lessons & occasional group lessons.

Real Books, Aebersold Play-a-Longs, Band-in-a-Box or Garage Band software , Hal Crook: How to Improvise, George Russel: Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization, etc.; recordings of the pieces to be performed.

Organizing a short performance (band, repertoire, rehearsals) as part of the annual Jazz & Pop student concert; independently organizing a performance (five pieces) for the year 3-4 transition audition exam.

Examination and assessment

Assessment by the main subject instructor at the end of each semester.

The student should have mastered the elements described under Aims. Specific criteria are: creativity, expression, improvisation, technique, sound, intonation, timing, reading skills, repertoire knowledge, progress, self-reflection, session participation, attitude and lesson preparation.

The student has completed this module if being awarded a minimum grade of 5.5 at the end of the second semester.

At the end of both semesters the instructor fills out an assessment form designed specifically for this module. Assessment is comprised of a verbal evaluation and a concluding grade. The instructor reviews this assessment with the student during the first subsequent lesson. Assessment at the end of the autumn semester is formative and expressed in terms of satisfactory/unsatisfactory. It indicates a student's progress in this module. No ECs are awarded and there is no resit. Modules can only be absolved, and ECs awarded, after the end of the spring semester.

Main Subject Clarinet Jazz & Pop 4

Form / content / level

Examination and assessment

Module summary