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Jazz Improv:Theory And Prac II Quiz

Free Practice Quiz & Exam Preparation

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 15
Study OutcomesAdditional Reading
3D voxel art representation of the Jazz Improv Theory and Practice II course

Discover the ultimate Jazz Improv: Theory and Prac II practice quiz, designed to challenge your knowledge of advanced harmonic procedures, scales, chord qualities, and chord progressions in a dynamic, engaging format. This quiz is perfect for students looking to sharpen their aural recognition skills and master key jazz forms such as blues, standard jazz tunes, and modal tunes, ensuring an interactive and informative review experience.

Which scale is commonly used over a dominant 7th chord in jazz improvisation?
Mixolydian scale
Dorian mode
Lydian scale
Harmonic minor scale
The Mixolydian scale features a flat seventh compared to the major scale, which aligns perfectly with the dominant 7th chord. Its interval structure supports the chord tones and provides a solid basis for improvisation.
What is the primary structure of a 12-bar blues progression in jazz?
12-bar blues with I7-IV7-V7 progression
8-bar form with ii-V-I progression
16-bar form with AABA structure
32-bar form following a rondo
The 12-bar blues progression is built on a fixed 12-bar structure that typically uses the I7, IV7, and V7 chords. This familiar form lays a strong foundation for improvisational exploration in jazz.
In a 12-bar blues progression, which chord is traditionally played on the ninth bar?
V chord
I chord
IV chord
vi chord
A standard 12-bar blues progression places the V chord on the ninth bar, creating a moment of tension that leads back to the tonic. This placement is crucial for driving the blues' characteristic call and response feel.
Which chord type in jazz is most commonly subject to tritone substitution?
Dominant seventh chord
Major seventh chord
Minor seventh chord
Half-diminished chord
Tritone substitution typically applies to dominant seventh chords because they share the same tritone interval with the substitute chord. This substitution enriches harmonic movement and offers smoother voice leading.
Which mode is best suited for improvising over the ii chord in a ii-V-I progression?
Dorian mode
Phrygian mode
Lydian mode
Mixolydian mode
The ii chord in a ii-V-I progression is usually a minor chord, making the Dorian mode a natural fit due to its raised sixth. This mode offers a blend of minor tonality with a brighter color than a natural minor scale.
In chord-scale theory, what is the primary purpose of matching a scale to a chord?
To outline the underlying harmony while allowing melodic freedom
To strictly adhere to written notes without deviation
To avoid all dissonance by playing only chord tones
To replicate classical harmonic progressions exactly
Chord-scale theory involves selecting scales that not only highlight the chord tones but also provide extra notes for creative elaboration. This method allows improvisers to navigate complex changes while maintaining a coherent harmonic framework.
What distinguishes modal improvisation from tonal improvisation in jazz?
Modal improvisation emphasizes static harmony over a single scale
Tonal improvisation always avoids any chord changes
Modal improvisation relies exclusively on rapid chord changes
Tonal improvisation is based solely on pentatonic scales
Modal improvisation focuses on exploring a single mode or scale with minimal chord changes, allowing for extended melodic development. In contrast, tonal improvisation is characterized by frequent chord changes that shape the improviser's note choices.
Which scale is best suited for improvising over a dominant 7th chord with a sharp eleventh alteration?
Mixolydian mode
Lydian dominant scale
Altered scale
Whole-tone scale
The Lydian dominant scale is tailored for dominant chords that feature a #11 tension. Its raised fourth (or #11) creates the characteristic sound needed to complement the altered chord tones while retaining the dominant function.
How does a tritone substitution modify the harmonic progression in jazz?
It replaces a dominant chord with another dominant chord a tritone away, enhancing voice leading.
It converts a major chord into a minor chord for smoother transitions.
It removes the dominant function entirely from the progression.
It doubles the original chord's structure with no added harmonic interest.
Tritone substitution involves swapping out a dominant chord with another dominant chord located a tritone away. This maneuver creates smoother voice leading and introduces subtle chromatic movement, enhancing the overall harmonic progression.
Which harmonic form is most commonly found in the A sections of many standard jazz tunes?
32-bar AABA form
12-bar blues form
Modal form
Through-composed structure
Many standard jazz tunes feature the 32-bar AABA form, especially in their A sections which establish the primary melodic theme. This structure offers a balanced framework for both composition and improvisation.
How do chord/scale relationships contribute to melodic improvisation in jazz?
They offer a systematic way to select notes that harmonically complement the changes.
They restrict note choices to only the chord tones available.
They only affect the harmonic accompaniment without influencing solos.
They simplify improvisation by limiting creativity to a single scale.
Understanding chord/scale relationships enables improvisers to choose scales that both highlight the chord tones and offer additional notes for melodic development. This method bridges the gap between harmonic structure and creative improvisation.
In the context of modal jazz, what is the significance of using a single sustained tonic pedal point?
It creates an extended harmonic space that promotes exploration of a single mode.
It forces rapid changes in chord progressions.
It eliminates the need for any harmonic variation.
It focuses primarily on classical tonal harmony.
A single, sustained tonic pedal point in modal jazz establishes a stable harmonic center. This allows musicians to delve deeper into improvisation within one mode, highlighting subtle shifts and tonal colors over an extended period.
What is the effect of utilizing altered chords within a jazz progression?
They introduce tension and color that can be creatively resolved.
They simplify the harmonic progression dramatically.
They eliminate the need for improvisation.
They ensure that all notes in the scale are diatonic.
Altered chords incorporate notes outside the standard scale, adding dissonant tensions that invite creative resolutions. This tension-resolution dynamic is a cornerstone of jazz, providing both harmonic interest and expressive depth.
Which scale is typically applied over a half-diminished (m7b5) chord in a minor ii-V-i progression?
Mixolydian mode
Locrian mode
Dorian mode
Lydian dominant mode
The half-diminished chord (m7b5) is characteristic of minor ii-V-i progressions and is typically paired with the Locrian mode. This scale choice aligns with the chord's intrinsic diminished fifth, supporting its unstable quality while offering melodic avenues.
How does the addition of tensions like 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths impact the sound of jazz chords?
They enrich the harmonic texture and provide additional sonorities for improvisation.
They simplify the chord by reducing its complexity.
They cause the chord to lose its functional identity.
They confine improvisers to only chord tones.
Adding tensions such as 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths broadens the harmonic vocabulary by introducing new colors and dissonances. This expanded palette allows for more expressive improvisation while maintaining the chord's function within the progression.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze advanced jazz harmonic structures and their applications in improvisation.
  2. Interpret and apply complex chord/scale relationships in varied jazz contexts.
  3. Recognize and execute standard jazz forms such as blues, modal tunes, and standard jazz tunes.
  4. Evaluate advanced chord progressions and their aural qualities within improvisational settings.

Jazz Improv:Theory And Prac II Additional Reading

Here are some top-notch academic resources to jazz up your improvisation skills:

  1. The Jazz Chord/Scale Handbook by Gary Keller This comprehensive guide delves into chord and scale relationships, offering insights into modal colors, symmetric scales, and practical voicings. It's a must-have for advancing your harmonic understanding.
  2. Jazz Improvisation Course by Berklee on Coursera Led by renowned vibraphonist Gary Burton, this course covers storytelling in improvisation, scale applications, harmonic motion, and guide tones, providing a structured approach to jazz improvisation.
  3. Jazz Harmony: A Progress Report by Chris Stover This scholarly article reviews recent jazz theory textbooks and discusses evolving approaches to jazz harmony, offering a deep dive into contemporary theoretical perspectives.
  4. Jazz Theory Workbook by Dariusz Terefenko This workbook complements Terefenko's textbook, providing exercises that bridge theory and practice, covering topics from basic to advanced jazz theory.
  5. Chord-Scale Theory - Open Music Theory This resource explains chord-scale relationships, modes, and their applications in improvisation, offering practical examples and exercises to enhance your understanding.
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