Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Welcome, and I hope that you enjoy this portfolio blogging assignment. To recap, it should be on a topic that is related to the material that we cover in class. Your work should represent a minimum of two hours research each week, but you'll likely want to spend more time on it for best results.
You may wish to investigate a specific genre of jazz, such as bebop or cool, or you might want to begin with a closer look at exceptional performers, perhaps outstanding saxophonists, bassists, trumpeters, trombonists, guitarists, drummers, pianists, etc., through the years. You may want to tailor it to your own major; if you're an elementary education major, let's say, then you might want to investigate jazz resources that are available for you as your create lesson plans for your classes. Or you might want to investigate the amazingly rich world of children's books that involve jazz or music, generally. You might want to look at how jazz is, and has been, used in film and TV scores, or if you're an aficionado of LP's (long play 33 1/3 records) and you've a special interest in art, then taking a close look at album cover art might interest you. Since we're close to Kansas City and its rich jazz history, you might want to focus on it or another city that has a significant jazz story attached to it, e.g. NYC, Chicago, etc.
It's OK to change directions with your research as the semester unfolds; there's no need to stay with the topic that you select now. Let your interest and curiosity guide you. Use entries on my jazzhistoryspring2012.blogspot.com blog as a potential model, remembering that some of the blogs are better than others.
Weekly Listening Assignment
In addition to your weekly research, you are required to do one in-depth listening assignment per week. This should be submitted here, along with your weekly research assignment. The key is that you think critically about what you're hearing. Simply saying that you like, or dislike, such and such and you don't like such and such is not acceptable. I.e. superficial reviews won't be graded as passing. In all cases, provide a timeline of what happens and then dig in and have fun.
And lastly, if you have questions, don't hesitate to inquire of me. I'll be happy to speak with you, or meet with you, about these assignments. They should prove to be some of the most rewarding things that you do in the class all semester long.
You may wish to investigate a specific genre of jazz, such as bebop or cool, or you might want to begin with a closer look at exceptional performers, perhaps outstanding saxophonists, bassists, trumpeters, trombonists, guitarists, drummers, pianists, etc., through the years. You may want to tailor it to your own major; if you're an elementary education major, let's say, then you might want to investigate jazz resources that are available for you as your create lesson plans for your classes. Or you might want to investigate the amazingly rich world of children's books that involve jazz or music, generally. You might want to look at how jazz is, and has been, used in film and TV scores, or if you're an aficionado of LP's (long play 33 1/3 records) and you've a special interest in art, then taking a close look at album cover art might interest you. Since we're close to Kansas City and its rich jazz history, you might want to focus on it or another city that has a significant jazz story attached to it, e.g. NYC, Chicago, etc.
It's OK to change directions with your research as the semester unfolds; there's no need to stay with the topic that you select now. Let your interest and curiosity guide you. Use entries on my jazzhistoryspring2012.blogspot.com blog as a potential model, remembering that some of the blogs are better than others.
Weekly Listening Assignment
In addition to your weekly research, you are required to do one in-depth listening assignment per week. This should be submitted here, along with your weekly research assignment. The key is that you think critically about what you're hearing. Simply saying that you like, or dislike, such and such and you don't like such and such is not acceptable. I.e. superficial reviews won't be graded as passing. In all cases, provide a timeline of what happens and then dig in and have fun.
And lastly, if you have questions, don't hesitate to inquire of me. I'll be happy to speak with you, or meet with you, about these assignments. They should prove to be some of the most rewarding things that you do in the class all semester long.
Introduction
Welcome to our Music 420 (History of Jazz) blog. I look forward to reading what you have to share. Best wishes, Alfred Cochran
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