Abstract
This essay explores the utilization of the movable-do solfege system in jazz improvisation instruction and creates a one semester improvisation course for beginning improvisers. Solfege is introduced to students in aural skills courses at many music programs, but it is not a common instructional tool in jazz improvisation pedagogy. An aural skills approach to jazz improvisation will connect prior melodic knowledge to acquire musical phrases for many students that have been trained in music programs across the United States. I have adapted and created pedagogical materials to create a course in which students study jazz compositions, melodies, and transcriptions from recordings. This pursuit is supported by research from jazz pedagogy and aural skills experts. I draw upon jazz pedagogy materials by authors such as Jerry Coker, David Baker, and Hal Crook. Further support is from aural skills methods and theories by Gary Karpinski and Edwin Gordon.