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.
Lower-Division Courses
While MUSC 14, Beginning Theory and Musicianship II, 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, 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 spring quarter. See the Music Department website for exam details. Students starting without any music theory background should consider taking MUSC 13, Beginning Theory and Musicianship I, in preparation for the required theory course MUSC 14.
| MUSC 11B | Introduction to Jazz | 5 |
| MUSC 14 | Beginning Theory & Musicianship II | 5 |
| MUSC 30A | Theory, Literature, and Musicianship | 5 |
Take one of the following options
Take one of the following courses:
Or
In place of MUSC 74 or MUSC 75, students may elect to take two quarters of the following course (which may be repeated for credit):
Upper-Division Courses
Take one of the following courses:
| MUSC 174 | Intermediate Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation | 5 |
| MUSC 175 | Jazz Theory II | 5 |
Take two of the following courses:
| MUSC 105A | Music of the United States | 5 |
| MUSC 105C | Folk and Traditional Music in California | 5 |
| MUSC 105I | Improvisation and Collaborative Practices in the 20th Century | 5 |
| MUSC 203H | Area Studies in Performance Practice | 5 |
| MUSC 111B | Seminar in Jazz Analysis | 5 |
| MUSC 150I | Special Topics in Music Theory: Hindustani Music | 5 |
| MUSC 150S | Focus on Spontaneous Composition | 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 |
MUSC 203H may be repeated for credit if taken with a different instructor.
Jazz Ensembles
Students in the Jazz, Spontaneous Composition, and Improvisation minor are required to take six quarters of ensembles, at least three quarters of which must be jazz-focused ensembles (MUSC 3 or MUSC 164). Both MUSC 3 and MUSC 164 can be repeated for credit.
If a student elected to take two quarters of MUSC 3 instead of MUSC 74 or MUSC 75, they are only required to do one additional quarter of a jazz ensemble, plus the three quarters of elective ensembles.
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 below ensembles for credit, except MUSC 5A, MUSC 8A, MUSC 73, MUSC 74, MUSC 75, and MUSC 167R.
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
* 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 satisfies 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.