Intermediate Jazz Improvisation
Date
June 9-August 1, 2025
Online
Course Code
MECA: 7875B, MMEd: 576I *
Credits
MECA: 3, MMEd: 2 *
Tuition
$1146
Course Description
Intermediate Jazz Improvisation is designed for students who have taken Beginning Jazz Improvisation (or students with prior jazz experience) and are looking to further develop improvisation skills (and how to teach jazz improvisation!) in a systematic manner with a patient and encouraging jazz educator. In Intermediate Jazz Improvisation, we will reinforce and expand upon the basic tools for jazz improvisation (scales, chord tones, and bracketing), identify harmonic concepts found throughout jazz repertoire and how to improvise over them, and develop a robust jazz vocabulary including transcribing short jazz licks and longer 24-32 bar solos.
* This course is offered at two course levels. Students enrolled in the MMEd program at VanderCook are eligible to enroll for the 500 course number. Students not enrolled in the MMEd program who wish to earn graduate credit as a MECA Continuing Education student should register for the 7000 course number. The difference in credits earned and tuition cost is attributed to the difference in tuition rates for the MMEd and MECA Continuing Education programs. If you are unsure which section is best for you, please contact us directly at [email protected].
Instructor
Michael Fein earned a Bachelor of Music Education with a Jazz Concentration from Rutgers University where he studied saxophone with Ralph Bowen and clarinet with Anthony Pasquale. He performed with the Rutgers Big Band, Jazz Combos, Wind Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, and Salsa Band. Michael also earned a Masters of Jazz Saxophone Performance from Rowan University where he studied with baritone saxophone legend, Denis DiBlasio.
Michael’s resume includes performances with Ralph Peterson, Stanley Cowell, Scott Whitfield, Ralph Bowen, Denis DiBlasio, local original rock groups (Fathead and Barbuda), Arden Theater Company, and lead alto work with the great Ray Charles.
Michael currently teaches music technology electives and the Jazz Lab Band at Haverford High School. The Haverford music program has doubled in size since the hiring of Michael and the creation of digital audio music electives. He also serves as an adjunct jazz saxophone instructor at Swarthmore University.
Michael has published articles and lesson plans with Music Education Technology Magazine and Sound Tree. He has also presented numerous sessions at music and technology conferences including the 2005 National Education Computing Conference in Philadelphia, Music Player Live Ultimate Music Summit in New York, and the 2005 PMEA Conference in Valley Forge.