Improvised Music Core units
Improvised Music
Students undertaking the Improvised Music Program must complete 72 credit points of core units comprising of:
(a) 48 credit points of Program Focus units: Improvised Music 1-8*
(b) 24 credit points of Improvised Music Ensemble units 1-8^ set out in the Performance and Ensemble UoS table.
*Please note Improvised Music 7-8 will be introduced from 2021.
^Please note Improvised Music Ensemble 7-8 will be introduced from 2021.
Program Focus units
IMPR1041 Improvised Music 1
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin Hunt Session: Semester 1 Classes: Skills and Fundamentals classes 2 hrs/week, Theory and Practice 2 classes hrs/fortnight Assessment: Skills & Fundamentals 2 x in-class repertoire and technical exam (80%), Theory & Practice : Written critical theory article reviews (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit will enable students to learn improvisation techniques that will enhance their performance practice irrespective of their primary discipline. There is a rich history of improvisation in many musical genres, much of it has fallen out of favour in contemporary practice. The study of improvising using fundamental rhythmic, melodic and harmonic concepts across various genres and styles of music will provide the students with new knowledge, and/or expand on existing knowledge.
IMPR1042 Improvised Music 2
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin Hunt Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1 x 2hr lecture/week Prerequisites: JAZZ1041 or IMPR1041 Assessment: Skills & Fundamentals 2 x in-class repertoire and technical exam (80%), Theory & Practice : Written critical theory article reviews (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The course continues a focus on musical techniques that apply the fundamentals of rhythm, melody and harmony for the practical and theoretical development of the students' improvisatory techniques across various genres and styles of music. Theoretical studies include the 4Es of cognition and music making : embodied, embedded, enacted and extended.
IMPR2043 Improvised Music 3
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin Hunt Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1 x 2hr lecture/week, 1 x 2hr tutorial/fortnight Prerequisites: JAZZ1042 or IMPR1042 Assessment: Skills & Fundamentals 2 x in-class repertoire and technical exam (80%), Theory & Practice : Written critical theory article reviews (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit continues to examine specific rhythmic and harmonic applications that launch the student improviser into a world of precise and responsive creativity. Students will be required to apply, explore and review these techniques daily to embody the techniques into their individual improvised musical language. Theoretical studies focus on media studies representation and simulation; authorship in improvisation; cross-cultural collaborations and nationalism; Glocalization and the improvisational diaspora.
IMPR2044 Improvised Music 4
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin Hunt Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1 x 2hr lecture/week, 1 x 2hr tutorial/fortnight Prerequisites: IMPR2043 Assessment: Skills & Fundamentals 2 x in-class repertoire and technical exam (80%), Theory & Practice : Written critical theory article reviews (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Following on from Improvised Music 3, students are provided with a range of skills associated with improvisation through an engagement with fundamental principles of harmony, rhythm, sonics, improvisational process, and pre-determined/spontaneous structures, with each class containing both theoretical and practical components. In these classes students learn how to rigorously develop strong fundamentals in playing improvised music. Theoretical studies are focussed on contemporary music practices including Butch Morris' Conduction; John Zorn's Cobra; John Cage's Imaginary Landscapes; Morton Feldman's number grids.
IMPR3045 Improvised Music 5
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin Hunt Session: Semester 1 Classes: 6 x 2hrs/wk, 6 x 4hrs/wk Assessment: 3 x in-class assesment (15% each), 1 x online discussion (10%), 1 x literature review (20%), 1 x group work assesment (25%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Improvised Music 5 continues to examine specific rhythmic , harmonic social and ecological applications that launch the student improviser into a world of precise and responsive creativity. Students will be required to apply and explore these techniques daily to embody the techniques into their individual musical language.
IMPR3046 Improvised Music 6
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin Hunt Session: Semester 2 Classes: 12 x 2hrs/wk Assessment: 1 x in-class assesment (40%), 1 x online discussion (10%), 1 x group work performance (30%), 1 x literature review (20%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Improvised Music 6 continues to examine specific rhythmic, harmonic, social and ecological applications that launch the student improviser into a world of precise and responsive creativity. Students will be required to apply and explore these techniques daily to embody the techniques into their individual musical language.