Justin Henry Rubin:

MU 2801 - Improvisation

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Listen to our improvisations and explore each topic further at the MU 2801 Improvisation Page!

Syllabus
Mu 2801 Improvisation
Dr. Justin Rubin
Class Sessions: WMH 206 Monday and Wednesday
10-10:50
Office: Bohannon 25A
Office Phone: 726-8218 E-mail: jrubin1@d.umn.edu

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined based on your attendance, preparedness, conduct, participation, and degree of competency exhibited in any assigned projects. For each unexcused absence you will receive a half-grade deduction on your final grade. All instrumentalists need to bring their instruments with them to class meetings as announced. Vocalists and pianists can choose to bring an instrument if they are currently studying one or are in an instrumental techniques class. Percussionists can choose to do the same, or bring a small percussion instrument with them.

There is no eating or socializing during class. Cell phones must be in silent mode. Failure to abide by this code of conduct will result in dismissal from class and a penalty on your final grade.

Course Goals:

To free your musical instincts from the written page and the cliches of any particular style of improvisation. You will perform in both small and large group improvisations. You will be exposed to individuals who have employed improvisation in unique ways with the goal of expanding your conception of what improvisation can mean.

Selected Course Topics:

• Giacinto Scelsi (1905-88)

Improvisation Focus: timbral development, microtones, evolution of form without thematic material
Improvisation Objective: two performances based on the Scelsi approach- one chamber, one full class

• Terry Riley (1935-): In C

Improvisation Focus: part independence, beat-based motive development'
Improvisation Objective: " In D " to be created and performed by the class

• Earle Brown (1926-2002): Available Forms, introduction to indeterminacy, graphic notation and analog time structure

• James Tenney (1934-2006): Postal Pieces

Improvisation Focus: realization of conceptual music
Improvisation Objective: class created conceptual pieces

• Frederic Rzewski (1938-) and Musica Elettronica Viva

Improvisation Focus: working with live electronics
Improvisation Objective: performing alongside student-created digital musical materials

• Pierre Cochereau (1924-1984) master improviser

• Ornamentation and Elaboration of Common Practice literature

Improvisation Focus: understanding the notation and techniques of 17th and 18th century ornamentation
Improvisation Objective: performing a solo work from your studio literature with the addition of ornamentation and elaborative material

The following 'before and after' example illustrates how we modified an in-class excerpt similar to what is expected of your individual projects to be performed as your final presentation.

Before:

After:

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