Interactive Composing in School Jazz Ensembles

Abstract

Abstract The instrumental jazz ensemble has traditionally presented students an opportunity to study and perform a variety of jazz traditions. Improvisation is central to the music; while many students have participated in the creative activity of improvisation, opportunities should be created for students to compose music for the jazz ensemble. This chapter is approaches composition at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of skill development. Composing in the beginning jazz ensemble integrates listening examples with the teaching and rehearsal of jazz style, articulation, rhythm, syncopation, harmony, chord progressions, improvisation, etc. With these foundations established, intermediate composers use guided and independent listening in partnership with composition projects that explore melodic and rhythmic interpretation in various styles. The discussion of expanded harmonic and melodic ideas including motivic development, additional modes, chord progressions, etc., is included. An added focus on the role of the rhythm section instruments is also desirable as students benefit from discussing piano and guitar comping styles, bass line construction, drum set fills, rhythmic set-ups, and the importance of the rhythm section as a foundational section of the jazz ensemble. Much of this information is organized effectively in various jazz ensemble performance method books for the beginning and intermediate jazz students. While these may no longer be an essential guide for advanced composers, the music being studied and rehearsed can inform their compositional processes. The importance of listening, the learning of additional musical styles, and experimentation with contemporary techniques and instrumentation will be emphasized.