College of Jazz

Ear Training 7 - JCTH 4001 - A; CRN 4271

Fall 2019 Thursday, 10:00-11:50am, Arnhold Hall, Room 710
Instructor, Armen Donelian doneliaa@newschool.edu c: 917-974-7446
Required Text: Modus Novus, Lars Edlund

Course Description: The focus will be on the harmonic and melodic vocabulary and the Jazz repertoire of the '60s
and later, including (but not limited to) Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Topics may include:
advanced transcriptions of John Coltrane, Clifford Brown, Bill Evans or others; composition and dictation of harmonic
progressions of Non-Triads (“Trichords”); atonal sight-singing using Lars Edlund's Modus Novus; analysis and
dictation of the chord voicings of Scriabin, Debussy, Ravel, Bartok or others.
This is an advanced course. Its goal is to enable students to develop greater aural fluency by exploring the
challenges presented by modern music. The information students gain from this course may and should be used for
their own continued development and independent self-study. The Instructor extends support and guidance in
students’ endeavors to become the best musicians they can be.
The curriculum covers the harmonic and melodic vocabulary of modern Jazz and Classical music. Particular
attention is paid to atonal chord progressions and voicings, and their application to composition and arranging as well
as melodic conception.

Course Methods and Learning Outcomes: Hearing, singing, identifying, transcribing, reading, composing and
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performing the melodies, harmonies and rhythms of Modern Jazz and 20 Century Classical music; and, Integrating
and balancing these skills as distinct yet related proficiencies within the student’s total musical ability.
The instructor may alter the speed and depth of approach to accommodate the proficiency of the class.

Three Requirements for Successful Ear Training: A clear understanding of curriculum and methods; Consistency
and quality of practice and class attendance; Honest and kindhearted acknowledgment of the result of one’s effort.

Attendance Policy: More than two unexcused absences results in course failure. Two latenesses count as one
absence. Lateness is defined as: "Entering the classroom anytime after the starting time (10:00am) published in the
New School Class Schedule." Therefore, plan to arrive at 9:55am.
An excused absence is required to be approved in advance unless for extentuating circumstances (death in
family, weather related emergency, illness requiring medical attention, etc.). Extended absences due to tours require
that the student fill out and submit a gig form to the Office of Academic Affairs.

Note: There is no class on November 28 (Thanksgiving break).

Written Assignments: It is the student’s responsibility to promptly complete all homework assignments, and obtain
assignments, handouts, or any material or information given out during an absence.

Exams: Five graded exams will be given on September 19, October 17, November 7 and December 12 (Final).

Grading: At the instructor’s discretion, students’ grades will be based on, but not limited to, an assessment of their
performance in the following areas:
Homework assignments In-class singing
Attendance and Lateness Exams (Failure of final exam constitutes grounds for
failure of the course)

Final Grade Calculation: Final Grade = Attendance + Exams + Written Assignments

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New  School  Jazz  –  Ear  Training  7  –  This  Syllabus  and  Curriculum  ©2019  Donelian  Music   1
 ET 7 Curriculum Fall 2019
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•WEEK 1 - Review ET 2B Curriculum (Recommended •WEEK 9 – Begin combined inverted 3 and 4 Non-
text: Training the Ear Volume 2 by Armen Donelian). Triads w/ bass notes.
Begin Atonal Ear Training (Required text: Modus Novus More singing/dictation MN, Ch 3 Melodies and
by Lars Edlund), Chapter 1 Preparatory Exercises Preparatory Exercises
More singing/dictation MN, Ch 3 Chords.
•WEEK 2 – Begin MN, Ch 1 Melodies. ASSESS singing of “Secrets,” “Isfahan” & “Hot House”.
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Begin Non-Triads w/root position 4 chords.
More singing/dictation MN, Ch 1 Preparatory Exercises •WEEK 10 – Begin MN, Ch 5 Preparatory Exercises.
nds
Begin root position 2 Non-Triads.
•WEEK 3 –Begin MN, Ch 1 Chords. More singing/dictation MN, Ch 3 Chords.
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Begin singing/dictation of root position 4 Non-Triads. SUBMIT Transcription
More singing/dictation MN, Ch 1 Melodies and
Preparatory Exercises. •WEEK 11 – Begin MN, Ch 5 Melodies.
Begin singing/dictation “Resurrection”.
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•WEEK 4 – Begin inverted 4 Non-Triads w/bass notes. More singing/dictation MN, Ch 5 Preparatory Exercises.
More singing/dictation of MN, Ch 1 Chords. More singing/dictation MN, Ch 3 Chords.
ths nds
EXAM 1 (MN, Ch 1 Melodies, root position 4 Non- More singing/dictation of root position 2 Non-Triads.
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Triads). EXAM 3 (MN, Ch 3 Melodies, combined inverted 3 and
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4 Non-Triads w/ bass notes).
•WEEK 5 – Begin MN, Ch 3 Preparatory Exercises.
th nds rd th
More singing/dictation inverted 4 Non-Triads w/bass •WEEK 12 – Begin combined inverted 2 w/3 and 4
notes. Non-Triads w/ bass notes.
nds
More singing/dictation of MN, Ch 1 Chords. More singing/dictation of root position 2 Non-Triads.
More singing/dictation MN, Ch 5 Melodies and
•WEEK 6 - Begin MN, Ch 3 Melodies. Preparatory Exercises.
Begin singing “Isfahan” and “Hot House”. More singing/dictation MN, Ch 3 Chords.
More singing/dictation MN, Ch 3 Preparatory Exercises. More singing/dictation “Resurrection”
ths
More singing/dictation inverted 4 Non-Triads w/bass REVIEW Transcription In-Class
notes.
More singing/dictation of MN, Ch 1 Chords. •WEEK 13 – Begin MN Ch 5 Chords.
nds rd
More singing/dictation combined inverted 2 w/3
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•WEEK 7 – Begin root position 3 Non-Triads. chords and 4 Non-Triads w/ bass notes.
Begin singing/listening “Secrets”. More singing/dictation MN, Ch 5 Melodies and
More singing/dictation MN, Ch 3 Melodies and Preparatory Exercises.
Preparatory Exercises. More singing/dictation “Resurrection”
nds
More singing “Isfahan” and “Hot House”. EXAM 4 (MN, Ch 3 Chords, root position 2 Non-
Triads).
•WEEK 8 – Begin MN, Ch 3 Chords.
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More singing/dictation of root position 3 Non-Triads. •WEEK 14 – Play/listen Scriabin and Messaien excerpts.
More singing/listening “Secrets,” “Isfahan” and “Hot More singing/dictation MN, Ch 5 Chords.
nds rd
House”. More singing/dictation combined inverted 2 w/3 and
th
More singing/dictation MN, Ch 3 Melodies and 4 Non-Triads w/bass notes.
Preparatory Exercises. More singing/dictation MN, Ch 5 Melodies and
ASSIGN Transcription (TBA) Preparatory Exercises.
ths
EXAM 2 (MN, Ch 1 Chords, inverted 4 Non-Triads ASSESS singing of “Resurrection”
w/bass notes).
•WEEK 15 – EXAM 5 (FINAL) (MN, Ch 1, 3, 5 and
nds rd th
combined inverted 2 , 3 and 4 Non-Triads w/bass
notes, Transcription excerpt.

New  School  Jazz  –  Ear  Training  7  –  This  Syllabus  and  Curriculum  ©2019  Donelian  Music   2  
Resources
The university provides many resources to help students achieve academic and artistic excellence. These resources
include:
University Libraries: http://library.newschool.edu
University Learning Center: http://www.newschool.edu/learning-center
University Disabilities Service: www.newschool.edu/student-disability-services/
Academic Honesty and Integrity http://www.newschool.edu/policies/
http://www.newschool.edu/university-learning-center/student-resources/
Intellectual Property Rights http://www.newschool.edu/provost/accreditation-policies/

Canvas
Use of Canvas may be an important resource for this class. Students should check it for announcements before
coming to class each week.

Student Course Ratings

During the last two weeks of the semester, students are asked to provide feedback for each of their courses through
an online survey. Instructions are available online at http://www.newschool.edu/provost/course-evaluations-student-
instructions.pdf.

New  School  Jazz  –  Ear  Training  7  –  This  Syllabus  and  Curriculum  ©2019  Donelian  Music   3