Incorporating jazz improvisation into the instrumental music curriculum

Abstract

This creative project is a curriculum that details why jazz improvisation is important for the instrumental music classroom and how I will plan to implement it throughout a beginning through high school band. Research done before me shows that jazz improvisation is something that all students can benefit from. Students with mental health issues and students on the spectrum can communicate better in a classroom with the use of improvisation. Students can take a leadership role in their own education. Improvisation can help students become more confident and skilled players. My curriculum will begin in sixth grade beginning band with basic improvisations on four beat rhythm patterns. Students will then move onto learning more about jazz theory and learning simple charts in seventh and eighth grade band. Students will begin transcribing solos and identifying more specific jazz forms in high school. The curriculum is designed to challenge older students even when they are in the same class as younger students.