M-JP-SAX4

Practical Classes

17

1

30

One 50-minute lesson per week

25 hours

451 hours

Completion of M-JP-SAX3.

See Competencies Matrix.

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 pieces and/or own compositions by heart and to improvise over them.

The contents of the main subject lessons reflect the current stage of one’s artistic research and are for the most part tailored to the final audition.

"TECHNIQUE:

Studying individual musicians' styles/transcriptions with respect to their use of techniques.
Mastering the use of the instrument's different timbres.
Modern saxophone technique, e.g., practicing in pentatonic scales and perfect fourths; triad pairs; augmented scales, multiphonics, self-chosen practice exercises.

READING SKILLS:

Herb Geller: Duets
Joseph Viola: Rhythm Studies
Advanced big band parts by composers such as: Thad Jones, Bob Mintzer and Toshiko Akiyoshi.

IMPROVISATION:
Continuing on one’s chosen path of in-depth study of others, continuing composing music or combining both, building on the foundations of third year. Finding their own voice.
Some examples could be:
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:

Examples can be: 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; by now the student shouled be able to play ca. 80 standards or other pieces by heart."

Individual lessons & occasional group lessons.

Real Books, Aebersold Play-a-Longs, iReal and similar.

Preparation of the final audition and reflecting if it is in line with the goals for the student’s artistic research.

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.

See the Education and Assessment Plan.