An instructional approach for a university jazz vocal improvisation course sequence incorporating jazz theory, ear-training, and keyboard

The author developed teaching materials for a two-year (four-semester) jazz vocal improvisation course sequence. The teaching materials were then evaluated by a panel of jazz educators, and revisions were made per their recommendations. The materials were designed to fulfill the following objectives: (1) to facilitate acquisition of adequate skills, knowledge and understanding required to function at a professional level, and (2) to allow vocalists to achieve advanced levels of improvisation by the end of the second year of study.The teaching materials included ear-training exercises, listening and transcription assignments, keyboard exercises and written jazz theory lessons. Ear-training and "play-along" exercises were also created and an audio recording was produced to accompany the text.**The dissertation includes 2 audio CDs. This dissertation is compound (contains both a paper copy and 2 CDs as part of the dissertation).