Syllabus for Undergraduate and Graduate Guitar Lessons, 1526, 3526, 5526

Davy Mooney, Noel Johnston, Paul Metzger, Will St. Peter, instructors
Davy Mooney office hours: posted outside of room 277
Other instructors’ office hours by appointment

Course Objectives

For Undergraduates:
1) To learn the repertoire of standards from the Great American Songbook, as well
as jazz standards from the “common practice period” of jazz, i.e., from the bebop
to contemporary eras
2) To develop reading ability through study of jazz and classical etudes
3) To improve technical ability on the guitar in the interest of better ease of
execution of written material and improvisation
For Graduates:
1) To continues to progress in the three objectives above
2) To begin to develop an individual sound
3) To begin to compose original material

A note on graduate objectives two and three

Developing an original sound as a jazz artist is a long term—and extremely difficult—

goal to achieve. As one progresses in the fundamentals of the jazz practice, as articulated
by the undergraduate course objectives, the long-term goal of achieving one’s own voice
should always be in back of mind. This is, of course, a highly individualized quest, and
one in which the instructor can only serve as a helpful guide. In my own practice, I have
found that composing original material has helped me to find and hone this individual
voice, so in many ways graduate objectives two and three are of a piece.

Recommended Texts

Personalizing Jazz Vocabulary, by Davy Mooney, Mel Bay Publishing

This book lays out my philosophy on learning how to improvise with classic jazz
language. I recommend it to anyone who wants insight into how I learned to play this
music, and how I think about teaching it to others.

Jazz Guitar Reading and Improvisation Material:

Melodic Rhythms for Guitar, by William Levitt

Barry Galbraith Jazz Guitar Study Series:
1) The Fingerboard Workout
2) Daily Exercises in the Melodic and Harmonic Minor Modes
3) Guitar Comping
4) Play Along With Bach
5) Guitar Improv, by Barry Galbraith
Joe Pass’s “Catch Me!,” “Joy Spring,” and “For Django:” Transcription and Analysis, by
Davy Mooney
Bop Duets, by Bugs Bower
The Advancing Guitarist, by Mick Goodrick
Jazz Ear Training: Learning to Hear Your Way Through Music, by Steve Masakowski
Play Duets with Jimmy Raney, by Jimmy Raney (Aebersold vol. 29)

Classical Reading Material:

42 Studies of Caprices, by Rodolphe Kreutzer

Sonatas and Partitas for the Violin, by J.S. Bach

Saxophone Studies:

The Charlie Parker Omnibook, edited by Jamey Aebersold

14 Jazz and Funk Etudes, by Bob Mintzer
The Jazz Conception, by Jim Snidero

note: I studied the above classical violin and jazz saxophone material with Fred
Hamilton for two years, and found it both illuminating and highly relevant to jazz guitar
study. I hope to continue the Fred Hamilton legacy with this material!

Weekly Lesson Breakdown

Weekly lessons will be split into thirds, roughly, covering these topic areas: 20 minutes
on reading material and etudes, 20 minutes on playing and improvising, 20 minutes on
chord melody. These 20-minute periods can of course be adjusted depending upon
individual circumstance. For Graduate students, review of students’ original material may
also occupy a significant portion of the lesson time. Weekly lessons will be graded, and
these three main topic areas will be treated equally toward the weekly grade (each will
compose 30%), with attendance, attitude, and miscellaneous assignments comprising the
remaining 10%.

Repertoire/Tune List

In order to build a substantial, varied, and practically useful repertoire of pieces in the
jazz idiom, students will be expected to learn approximately two tunes from each of the
following categories over the course of the semester (the tunes in parenthesis are only
suggestions):
1) Great American Songbook standard (Days of Wine and Roses, Dream Dancing)
2) Ballad (Easy Living, Darn That Dream)
3) Bebop head or intricate melody (Segment, Conception)
4) Brazilian/Straight 8ths groove (Ana Maria, Triste)
5) Jazz Standard (Moment’s Notice, Along Came Betty)
These categories can be supplemented by other material as well, at the instructor’s
discretion. For the final jury, students must have six of these tunes memorized and
must create their own backing track for each. I recommend creating a recording of
yourself comping—a re-creation of the duo guitar style that we play in lessons. Use a
metronome. Three to five choruses (depending on the type of tune) should suffice.

Transcription

The student will be expected to transcribe two full solos per semester, one for the mid-
term and one for the final jury. It is recommended that at least one of these solos be a
guitar solo. Both these solos should be computer notated, and the student must email
a pdf of the computer notated transcription to their instructor and copy
[email protected]. For the final jury transcription, bring a hard copy of the
transcription with you for Professor Mooney. The solo should be performed along with
the recording, and the student should match the articulation and time feel of the soloist as
well as the pitches and rhythms.

Chord Melody

The student will be expected to arrange two jazz standards for solo performance, in
collaboration with the instructor, one for the mid-term and the other for the final jury. At
least one of these should be a rubato ballad, which should be ornamented and
embellished using techniques such as back-cycling, chord inversions, moving inner lines,
single-note fills, and a variety of right hand articulation techniques.

Recording Lessons

Students are encouraged to record their lessons. Something that you or your instructor
play during the lesson may be memorable or useful to you in the future. You also might
want to chart your progress aurally over the course of the semester.

Tune Transcription

Given the varied quality of lead sheets of jazz tunes, you may be called upon to transcribe
or correct a lead sheet of a standard tune. These lead sheets will be shared with the guitar
department, and I encourage you to play these tunes on your gigs and add them to your
repertoire.

Grading

The student must complete weekly assignments, in accord with all of the above course
objectives and goals. A positive attitude and enthusiasm for the jazz practice are also key
to a successful semester of lessons. Attendance at each week’s lessons is mandatory,
although in the case of illness or other unavoidable conflict absence may be excused. The
instructor will make up any missed lessons, but student absences will not be rescheduled.
Each week’s lesson will be graded (see “Weekly Lesson Breakdown” above) and
averaged to make up 50% of the semester’s grade. The mid-term transcription and
chord melody will make up a further 20% of the semester’s grade.

30-Minute Lessons with Dr. Mooney

I wish there were a way for me to teach all of you privately, but the math doesn’t work. I
teach everyone during the semester of their senior and master’s recitals, but I want to
have more regular face-time with everyone in the department as they progress in their
degree plans. So I will teach each of you one 30-minute lesson per semester, in addition
to your weekly lessons with your instructor.

Guitar Departmental

The UNT jazz guitar departmental takes place every Friday, from 2 to 3pm, in room 262.
You may be called upon to perform, space and time permitting: a short, 15 to 20 minute,
2-tune set. I recommend guitar trio, or quartet with horn or piano, with bass and drums. I
will film these performances and they will be emailed to you. Seeing yourself perform
live provides insight into the way your music is perhaps perceived by the audience—this
is subjective and intangible, but it is helpful to put yourself in the audience’s place, in
some small way, by watching your performance. I recommend watching once or twice,
analyzing strengths and weaknesses, but not getting overly obsessed with one
performance. Jazz is an in-the-moment music, and the effectiveness of your playing will
vary from day to day. I will also give you written comments on your performances, as
will your private lesson teacher and other adjunct faculty who are present. The music
you play at departmental must be memorized. Attendance at guitar departmental is
required. You will be allowed one unexcused absence. After that, your lesson grade
will go down one letter. Excused absences include illness, gigs, and other unforeseen
circumstances, but you have to communicate with me.

Juries

The student will perform for a faculty panel at the end of each semester. The student will
be required to perform a chord melody, a transcription, and one etude (which need not be
memorized) from the semester’s study. The student must also submit their six-tune
repertoire list, and prepare a backing track of guitar and metronome only for each of the
six tunes. One of these six will be chosen by Dr. Mooney and performed with the backing
track. The jury will make up the remaining 30% of the semester’s grade.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a "0" for that
particular assignment or exam [or specify alternative sanction, such as
course failure]. Additionally, the incident will be reported to the Dean of
Students (Office of Academic Integrity), who may impose further penalty.
According to the UNT catalog, the term “cheating" includes, but is not
limited to: a. use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or
examinations; b. dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those
authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving
problems, or carrying out other assignments; c. the acquisition, without
permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty or
staff member of the university; d. dual submission of a paper or project, or
resubmission of a paper or project to a different class without express
permission from the instructor(s); or e. any other act designed to give a
student an unfair advantage. The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not
limited to: a. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct
quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without
full and clear acknowledgment; and b. the knowing or negligent
unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency
engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
See: Academic Integrity
LINK: https://policy.unt.edu/sites/default/files/06.003.AcadIntegrity.Final_.pdf

STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a
class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and
disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT.
Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave
the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Dean of
Students to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of
Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply
to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classrooms,
labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc.
See: Student Code of Conduct
Link: https://deanofstudents.unt.edu/conduct

ACCESS TO INFORMATION – EAGLE CONNECT

Your access point for business and academic services at UNT occurs
at my.unt.edu. All official communication from the university will be
delivered to your Eagle Connect account. For more information, please
visit the website that explains Eagle Connect.
See: Eagle Connect
LINK: eagleconnect.unt.edu/
ODA STATEMENT
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic
accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking
accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Access
(ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide
you with an accommodation letter. You can now request your Letters of
Accommodation ONLINE and ODA will mail your Letters of
Accommodation to your instructors. You may wish to begin a private
discussion with your professors regarding your specific needs in a course.
Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every
semester.For additional information see the Office of Disability Access.
See: ODA
LINK: disability.unt.edu. (Phone: (940) 565-4323)

UNT Policy Statement on Diversity

UNT values diversity and individuality as part of advancing ideals of
human worth, dignity and academic excellence. Diverse viewpoints
enrich open discussion, foster the examination of values and exposure of
biases, help educate people in rational conflict resolution and responsive
leadership, and prepare us for the complexities of a pluralistic society. As
such, UNT is committed to maintaining an open, welcoming atmosphere
that attracts qualified students, staff, and faculty from all groups to
support their success. UNT does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in
its application and admission process, educational programs and
activities, employment policies and use of university facilities.
See: Diversity Statement
Link:
https://policy.unt.edu/sites/default/files/04.018_PolicyStateOnDiversity.pub
8_.18.pdf

Registration Information for Students

See: Registration Information
Link: https://registrar.unt.edu/students

Academic Calendar at a Glance, 2020-2021

See: Academic Calendar
Link:
https://registrar.unt.edu/sites/default/files/Fall_2021_Academic_Calendar.
pdf

Final Exam Schedule

See: Fall Final Exam Schedule
https://registrar.unt.edu/exams/final-exam-schedule/fall

Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress

Undergraduates
A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue
to receive financial aid. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0
cumulative GPA in addition to successfully completing a required number
of credit hours based on total hours registered. Students cannot exceed
attempted credit hours above 150% of their required degree plan. If a
student does not maintain the required standards, the student may lose
their financial aid eligibility.

Students holding music scholarships must maintain a minimum 2.5 overall

cumulative GPA and 3.0 cumulative GPA in music courses.

If at any point you consider dropping this or any other course, please be
advised that the decision to do so may have the potential to affect your
current and future financial aid eligibility. It is recommended that you to
schedule a meeting with an academic advisor in your college or visit the
Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office to discuss dropping a course
before doing so.
See: Financial Aid
LINK: http://financialaid.unt.edu/sap

Graduates
A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue
to receive financial aid. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative
GPA in addition to successfully completing a required number of credit
hours based on total registered hours per term. Music scholarships require
a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Students cannot exceed maximum timeframes
established based on the published length of the graduate program. If a
student does not maintain the required standards, the student may lose
their financial aid eligibility.

If at any point you consider dropping this or any other course, please be
advised that the decision to do so may have the potential to affect your
current and future financial aid eligibility. It is recommended you schedule
a meeting with an academic advisor in your college, an advisor in UNT-
International or visit the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office to
discuss dropping a course.
See: Financial Aid
LINK: http://financialaid.unt.edu/sap
RETENTION OF STUDENT RECORDS
Student records pertaining to this course are maintained in a secure
location by the instructor of record. All records such as exams, answer
sheets (with keys), and written papers submitted during the duration of the
course are kept for at least one calendar year after course completion.
Course work completed via the Canvas online system, including grading
information and comments, is also stored in a safe electronic environment
for one year. You have a right to view your individual record; however,
information about your records will not be divulged to other individuals
without the proper written consent. You are encouraged to review the
Public Information Policy and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA) laws and the university’s policy in accordance with those
mandates.
See: FERPA
Link: http://ferpa.unt.edu/

COUNSELING AND TESTING

UNT’s Center for Counseling and Testing has an available counselor whose
position includes 16 hours per week of dedicated service to students in the
College of Music and the College of Visual Arts and Design. Please visit
the Center’s website for further information:
See: Counseling and Testing
Link: http://studentaffairs.unt.edu/counseling-and-testing-services.

For more information on mental health issues, please visit:

See: Mental Health Issues
Link: https://speakout.unt.edu.

The counselor for music students is:

Myriam Reynolds
Chestnut Hall, Suite 311
(940) 565-2741
[email protected]

ADD/DROP POLICY
Please be reminded that dropping classes or failing to complete and pass
registered hours may make you ineligible for financial aid. In addition, if
you drop below half-time enrollment you may be required to begin
paying back your student loans. After the 12th class day, students must
first submit a completed “Request to Drop” form to the Registrar’s Office.
The last day for a student to drop a class in Fall, 2021 is November 12.
Information about add/drop may be found at:
See: Dropping a Class
Link: https://registrar.unt.edu/registration/dropping-class
STUDENT RESOURCES
The University of North Texas has many resources available to students. For
a complete list, go to:
See: Student Resources
Link: https://www.unt.edu/sites/default/files/resource_sheet.pdf