Preparatory Workshop for the Theoretical Entrance Exam

The syllabus of this course:

Tonality & Time Signature
The lesson covers the 1st assignment of the Ear Training Test of the Entrance Examination of the Jazz Department of the Conservatory of Amsterdam: Recognise the tonality (major or minor) and time signature (4/4, 3/4, etc.) in a number of music fragments taken from a variety of jazz recordings. At the hand of an example, the assignment is demonstrated and analysed. A strategy is developed to do the assignment systematically and efficiently. Furthermore, you get advice for how to prepare for the test. At the end of the lesson, you get some more fragments that you can practise with.

Scales
The lesson covers the 2nd assignment of the Ear Training Test of the Entrance Examination of the Jazz Department of the Conservatory of Amsterdam: Recognise scales by ear. And example scale is played and analysed. You will learn which scales you should know. Advice is given to learn the scales not only as theoretical abstractions, but also in a representative musical context. At the end of the lesson, some more scales are played that you can use for practising.

Intervals
The lesson covers the 3rd assignment of the Ear Training Test of the Entrance Examination of the Jazz Department of the Conservatory of Amsterdam: Recognise intervals by ear. An example interval is played and analysed. You are introduced to the concepts of ‘Focused Listening’ and ‘Virtual Note Editing’ that are powerful tools to analyse musical content in your mind and to develop your inner ear. At the end of the lesson, some more intervals are played that can be used for practising.

Triads
The lesson covers the 4th assignment of the Ear Training Test of the Entrance Examination of the Jazz Department of the Conservatory of Amsterdam: You have to recognise triads by ear, not only the type, but also the bass note. An example triad is played and analysed. Then you get a summary of the most basic theoretical aspects (types, inversions, names, chord symbols). The concepts of ‘Focused Listening’ and ‘Virtual Note Editing’ are further developed. A number of well-known musical examples are presented to help you remember the sound of specific triads in specific inversions in a musical context. At the end of the lesson, some more triads are played for your own practising.

Seventh Chords
The lesson covers the 5th assignment of the Ear Training Test of the Entrance Examination of the Jazz Department of the Conservatory of Amsterdam: Recognise seventh chords (in root position) by ear. The assignment is explained, demonstrated and analysed. Then you get a summary to brush up your theoretical knowledge on the various 7th chord types, their construction and some standard voicings that should enable you to explore the chords by playing them yourself. An analytical listening protocol is introduced to help you analyse the 7th chords by identifying the chord tones. You will be encouraged to explore the sound of the seventh chords yourself and you will be invited to join a guided tour through the harmonic space from a rather unexpected point of departure.  At the end of the lesson, some more 7th chords are played.

Rhythm Notation
The lesson offers a step-by-step tutorial to capture, analyse and notate the rhythm of a melody. Among other things, you learn how to work with a rhythmic grid. Especial attention is given to the triplet or swing notation.

Melody
The lesson offers a tutorial to capture, analyse and notate the pitches of a melody. You learn how to work with reference tones and scales and how to use your ‘Virtual Editing Skills’ to develop a basis of confidence.

Bass Lines
The lesson offers a tutorial to follow and identify the notes of a bass line. Especial attention is given to the technique of ‘Focused Listening’ that enables you to focus on the bass line without being distracted by the melody and other layers of the musical texture.

Chord Progressions
The lesson offers a tutorial to follow and identify the harmonic events of a chord progression. You learn how to work ‘from the outside in’, how to deal with the insecurity that comes from not recognising the chords immediately and how to develop a listening protocol

Melody and Chords
The lesson offers a tutorial to capture the melody and harmony of a tune and notate it in a lead sheet (melody and chord symbols). The listening protocol is further developed. Especial attention is given to ‘educated guessing’ that should help to come up with sensible assumptions if you don’t recognise a chord immediately. Your ‘Virtual Editing Skills’ should help you verify (or falsify) these assumptions.