Modern Piano / Jazz - St. Cecilia School of Music

St Cecilia MODERN PIANO/JAZZ Syllabus Introduction This syllabus aims at fostering the skills of jazz and popular musical performance at the piano. These vibrant areas of self-expression are of ever-increasing interest to students of all levels, and of great practical value to all pianists. As with classical music, the benefits of preparing for examinations are immense and highly rewarding. The syllabus is designed to accommodate the individuality intrinsic in popular music while promoting high standards of musicianship and skill. Students completing these examination will be fully equipped to play popular music professionally and will also possess the musical literacy and technique required of traditional piano performance. Concert Certificate examinations are available at all levels for Modern Piano/Jazz. First Recital Certificate and Advanced Recital Certificate examinations are also available. Refer to Pianoforte syllabus for more information.

Examination Requirements Each examination comprises four sections, which together cover the entire range of skills involved in jazz and popular music performance. These four sections are:-

1.

The completion of a piano examination from the St Cecilia classical syllabus at the preceding grade level, or the performance of a piece selected from the St Cecilia classical piano syllabus of the same grade level.

2.

Knowledge of various chords and scales, an essential skill for all Jazz and popular musicians. The requirements for each grade cumulatively cover all commonly used chords and scales in popular music and Jazz. Knowledge of scale forms for all grades will be demonstrated by playing the scale over one octave with one hand.

3.

The performance of an interesting and entertaining programme material, selected from any of the following categories: - Original or published arrangements of popular or Jazz works - Original compositions of the candidate in any style. - Published compositions in any popular style.

4.

An understanding and awareness of the style of any of the chosen pieces presented at the examination, including the theoretical components of the pieces e.g. (a) key, time, notation, signs and directions (b) details about the composer/arranger (c) any other interesting aspects of the pieces.

5.

Improvisation and original composition or arrangement are encouraged at all levels, and are a requirement for Grade 7 and 8. Confidence and a sense of style in playing will be highly regarded. Credit will be given for performances from memory.

St Cecilia Modern Piano/Jazz Syllabus

PLEASE NOTE this syllabus commences at Grade 2 level. Before using this syllabus candidates are advised to use the SCSM Classical Piano or Digital Piano Syllabus for Beginner, Junior, Preliminary and Grade 1 examinations.

GRADE 2 SECTION 1 (10 marks)

This section is to demonstrate the candidate’s technical ability. Choose ONE of the following options:

1. A pass in Grade 1 pianoforte from the St Cecilia classical syllabus. The original report or certificate should be brought to the examination and presented to the examiner for verification. 2. The candidate will perform any piece from Item 1,2, or 3 of the SCSM current Grade 2 classical piano syllabus. SECTION 2 (20 marks)

Knowledge of chords and scales. (refer chords & scales at end of this section)

The following scale forms are to be efficiently, evenly and promptly demonstrated over TWO octaves in the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Scales: C , Minor Scales: A (harmonic, melodic and natural) Pentatonic: C, A major pentatonic; C, A minor pentatonic Blues Scales: C, A The following chord forms are to be efficiently and promptly demonstrated in either the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Triads: C, Minor Triads: A, Dominant 7ths: Keys of C and A SECTION 3 The candidate will perform a programme of own choice material (60 marks) in any popular style of between 5-6 minutes duration. Improvisation is encouraged and the programme may include a sequenced accompaniment if desired. (Please note that the candidate is responsible for the setting up, starting/stopping, etc of the sequenced accompaniment if used in the examination) A copy of the music (candidate’s part - not accompaniment) should be given to the examiner. This may be printed or hand-written. Accurate timings form a major part of the overall assessment.

SECTION 4 (10 marks)

Programme Notes.

The examiner will ask the candidate to explain the style of any of the chosen pieces presented at the examination, including questions on the theoretical components of the pieces e.g. (a) key, time, notation, signs and directions (b) details about the composer/arranger (c) any other interesting aspects of the pieces.





Knowledge of chords and scales.

The following scale forms are to be efficiently, evenly and promptly demonstrated over TWO octaves in the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Scales: F, G Minor Scales: D, E (harmonic, melodic and natural) Pentatonic: G, E, F, D major pentatonic; G, E, F, D minor pentatonic Blues Scales: G, E, F, D The following chord forms are to be efficiently and promptly demonstrated in either the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Triads: F, G Minor Triads: D, E Dominant 7ths: Keys of F, G, D, E

SECTION 3 The candidate will perform a programme of own choice material (60 marks) in any popular style of between 7- 8 minutes duration. Attention should be given to confidence and fluency. Improvisation is encouraged and the programme may include a sequenced accompaniment if desired. (Please note that the candidate is responsible for the setting up, starting/stopping, etc of the sequenced accompaniment if used in the examination) A copy of the music (candidate’s part - not accompaniment) should be given to the examiner. This may be printed or hand-written. Accurate timings form a major part of the overall assessment. SECTION 4 (10 marks)

Programme Notes.







The following scale forms are to be efficiently, evenly and promptly demonstrated over TWO octaves in the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Scales: Bb, D Minor Scales: G, B (harmonic, melodic and natural) Pentatonic: Bb, D major pentatonic; G, B minor pentatonic Blues Scales: Bb, D, G, B The following chord forms are to be efficiently and promptly demonstrated in either the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Triads:Bb, D Minor Triads:G. B Dominant 7ths: Keys of Bb, D, G, B Diminished 7ths on: G, B, D

SECTION 3 The candidate will perform a programme of own choice material (60 marks) in any popular style of between 8 -10 minutes duration. The presentation should be confident and entertaining. Improvisation is encouraged and the programme may include a sequenced accompaniment if desired. (Please note that the candidate is responsible for the setting up, starting/stopping, etc of the sequenced accompaniment if used in the examination) A copy of the music (candidate’s part - not accompaniment) should be given to the examiner. This may be printed or hand-written. Accurate timings form a major part of the overall assessment.

SECTION 4 (10 marks)

Programme Notes.







The following scale forms are to be efficiently, evenly and promptly demonstrated over TWO octaves in the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Scales: A, Eb Minor Scales: F#, C (harmonic, melodic and natural) Pentatonic: A, Eb major pentatonic; F#, C minor pentatonic Blues Scales:A, Eb, F#, C The following chord forms are to be efficiently and promptly demonstrated in either the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Triads: A, Eb Minor Triads: F#, C Dominant 7ths: Keys of A, Eb, F#, C Diminished 7ths on: A, Eb, F#, C Major 7ths: C, A Minor 7ths: C, A

SECTION 3 The candidate will perform a varied and effective programme (60 marks) of own choice material in any popular style of between 12-15 minutes duration. The performance should exhibit style and confidence. Improvisation is encouraged and the programme may include a sequenced accompaniment if desired. (Please note that the candidate is responsible for the setting up, starting/stopping, etc of the sequenced accompaniment if used in the examination) A copy of the music (candidate’s part - not accompaniment) should be given to the examiner. This may be printed or hand-written. Accurate timings form a major part of the overall assessment. SECTION 4 (10 marks)

Programme Notes.






Knowledge of chords and scales. (see pp30-32)

The following scale forms are to be efficiently, evenly and promptly demonstrated over TWO octaves in the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Scales: E, Ab Minor Scales:C#, F (harmonic, melodic and natural) Pentatonic: E, Ab major pentatonic; C#, F minor pentatonic Blues Scales:E, Ab, C#, F The following chord forms are to be efficiently and promptly demonstrated in either the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: Major Triads: E, Ab Minor Triads: C#, F Dominant 7ths: Keys of E, Ab, C#, F Diminished 7ths on: E, Ab, C#, F Major 7ths: E, Ab Minor 7ths: C#, F

SECTION 3 The candidate will perform a varied and effective programme (60 marks) of own choice material in any popular style of 15 minutes duration. The programme should be presented with confidence, and credit will be given for effectiveness of programming. Improvisation is encouraged and the programme may include a sequenced accompaniment if desired. (Please note that the candidate is responsible for the setting up, starting/stopping, etc of the sequenced accompaniment if used in the examination) A copy of the music (candidate’s part - not accompaniment) should be given to the examiner. This may be printed or hand-written. Accurate timings form a major part of the overall assessment. SECTION 4 (10 marks)

Programme Notes.







The following scale forms using all keys up to and including four sharps and flats are to be efficiently, evenly and promptly demonstrated over TWO octaves in the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: ·Major scales ·Minor Scales (harmonic, melodic & natural) ·Pentatonic major and minor scales ·Blues scales ·Whole tone scales ·Chromatic scales (commencing on any white note) The following chord forms using keys up to and including four sharps and four flats are to be efficiently and promptly demonstrated in either the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: ·Major and minor chords ·Dominant 7ths th ·Diminished 7ths (commencing on any white note) ·Major and minor 7 chords

SECTION 3 The candidate will perform a varied and effective programme (60 marks) of own choice material in any popular style of 16-20 minutes duration. A significant element of improvisation should be exhibited. The performance should be confident and stylistic. The programme may include a sequenced accompaniment if desired. (Please note that the candidate is responsible for the setting up, starting/stopping, etc of the sequenced accompanimentif used in the examination) A copy of the music (candidate’s part - not accompaniment) should be given to the examiner. This may be printed or hand-written. Accurate timings form a major part of the overall assessment. SECTION 4 (10 marks)

Programme Notes.







The following scale forms using all keys up to and including four sharps and flats are to be efficiently, evenly and promptly demonstrated over TWO octaves in the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: ·Major scales ·Minor Scales (harmonic, melodic & natural) ·Pentatonic major and minor scales ·Blues scales ·Whole tone scales ·Chromatic scales (commencing on any black note) ·Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Locrian modes commencing on C The following chord forms using keys up to and including four sharps and four flats are to be efficiently and promptly demonstrated in either the left or right hand as requested by the examiner: ·Major and minor chords ·Dominant 7ths th th ·Diminished 7ths (commencing on any black note) ·Major 7 and minor 7 chords

SECTION 3 The candidate will perform a varied and effective programme (60 marks) of own choice material in any popular style of 18-20 minutes duration. Significant elements of improvisation should be exhibited and at least one original composition is to be included. The programme may include a sequenced accompaniment if desired. (Please note that the candidate is responsible for the setting up, starting/stopping, etc of the sequenced accompanimentif used in the examination) A copy of the music (candidate’s part - not accompaniment) should be given to the examiner. This may be printed or hand-written. Accurate timings form a major part of the overall assessment. SECTION 4 (10 marks)

Programme Notes.


CHORD STRUCTURES (Examples shown on “C” only) Triads

&4 w bw bww & bww & b bww bºww & ww w & bw bw ww & bww & bbww #bww b& ww bww bwww b& www & w bww w Major

Minor

Diminished

Seventh chords

th

Dominant 7

th

th

Minor 7

th

Dominant 7 th) (sharpened 5

Added note chords

th)

nd)

th)

Major (major 2

Major (major 6

th)

Minor (major 6

nd)

Minor (min. 6

Ninth chords

th

th

Dominant 9

th

Major 9

th

th )

Minor 9 (flat 9

Minor 9

th

Eleventh chords

th

Dominant 11

th

Minor 11

Thirteenth chords

Dominant 13th

Dom.13th (flat 9th)

Suspended chords

th

Suspended 4

th)

Dom. 9 (sharp 5

th

th)

Dom. 7 (sus 4

Major (sus 2)

th

th

Dominant 7th th) (flattened 5

nd)

nd)

Minor (min. 2

th)

Dominant (flat 9

th)

Major 7 (aug. 9

th

Augmented

Minor (major 2

th)

Major (min. 2

Major (min.6

#w bww bww bw bw bww bww b#ww #bbwww

Minor (major 7 )

Major 7

Diminished 7th

th

Half diminished 7

bw ww #bww bww bw bww #ww bww b#www bw bww

th)

Dom.11 (flat 9

Dom.13th (sharp 5th)

th

th

Three factor quatral chord

th)

Dom.11 (sharp 11

Dom.13th (sharp 11th) th) (flat 13

Quatral chords

Minor (sus 2)

th)

Dom. 9 (flat 5

bww

Four factor quatral chord

SCALE FORMS (Examples shown on “C” only)

Major (Ionian mode)

&w w &w w &w w & ø ø bø & ø #ø ø &w w & w bw &w w

w bw bw øø

Natural minor (Aeolian mode)

Harmonic minor

Melodic minor

Chromatic

Dorian mode

Phrygian mode

Lydian mode

w bw bw bø ø ø #ø ø #ø ø w w w bw w w

w w w w w w ø ø ø bø

#ø ø ø bw w bw w w #w

w w bw w nw w bø ø ø #ø ø ø bw w bw w w w

SCALE FORMS (CONTINUED)

w w w w w bw w bw bw w bw bw bw w w w w w w bw w w bw w bw w #w w bw w w w #w #w #w w w w n b w w w # w b w w w w w # w b w w

Mixolydian mode

&w &w &w &w &w &w &w &w

Locrian mode

Pentatonic major scale

Pentatonic minor scale

Blues scale

Whole tone scale

Octotonic scale

Hungarian minor scale