Double Bass - Jazz (8201R109)

bachelor's programme qualification

Specific admission requirements:

Technical level commensurate with a conservatory graduate, expressive ability in jazz style, i.e. developed sense of jazz rhythms, harmonics and melodics, improvisational ability. Basic awareness of the development of jazz and its main purveyors in its various developmental epochs. Knowledge of the most prominent players of the candidate´s instrument.

The talent examination will consist of demonstrating expressive ability in jazz styles at an appropriate technical instrumental level, as well as verification of the candidate?s auditory abilities.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning:

The programme does not have any specific requirements for the recognition of prior learning.

The procedure for recognition at AMU is governed by Articles 89 and 90 of the Act on Higher Education Institutions No. 111/1998 Coll., as amended, and by the AMU Attendance and Examination Regulations (Articles 8, 14, 18).

Qualification requirements and regulations

A completed secondary or a completed secondary vocational education; exceptionally, it is also possible to admit candidates without a completed secondary, a completed secondary vocational or higher vocational education at a conservatory.

Regulations: The Czech education system is governed by the Act on Higher Education Institutions, as amended (Act No. 111/1998 Coll.), and by the internal regulations of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.

Field of study characterization

Playing a double bass in a jazz context is a complex discipline encompassing solo expressive ability (with or without accompaniment) and in particular the ability to integrate one´s playing into a jazz ensemble of any composition and stylistic focus within jazz and related genres.

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to master theoretical knowledge from the history of jazz, jazz harmony and arrangement, and to undergo thorough training in the areas of jazz improvisation, development of a specific kind of musical ear and ensemble playing.

Key learning outcomes:

The programme graduate is a versatile player able to pass muster in any musical situation connected with jazz musical expression. For this purpose, he or she is equipped with technical, theoretical and practical skills and knowledge which make it possible to identify the specifics of any situation.

The graduate is oriented in the historic epochs of jazz development and has mastered genre aesthetics connected with specific aspects of musical expression such as sound, stylistically adequate accompaniment and solo playing, a suitable improvisational language, the ability to support the overall musical sound, etc.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples:

A programme graduate is capable of integrating himself or herself into the artistic process under the direction of another jazz creator - a composer, arranger or ensemble leader of any stylistic focus and composition within the scope of jazz and related genres and to fulfil his or her specific role in a concrete musical context.

He or she is also capable of independent artistic expression and the realisation of his or her own artistic projects, and to this end is competent to lead his or her players.

In the long term, he or she is capable of maintaining and further developing his or her artistic ambitions and further of perfecting his or her musical abilities, e.g. through further study, and of following world musical developments not only in jazz, and of approaching his or her musical ideal.

Access to further studies:

A graduate of the Bachelor´s programme has the option to continue his or her studies in the Master´s programme in jazz at HAMU or at one of many foreign schools. Further, he or she has the option of pursuing further education at workshops and seminars held on various occasions in the Czech Republic and abroad. Each creative collaboration with mature musicians, in particular with those with whom a particular musician has not yet collaborated, is another invaluable form of education.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading:

Studies are assessed by credits and examinations stipulated by study plans. The student is informed of these through the information system.

The student registers for examinations using the information system, and is entitled to a second and third attempt to pass an examination. If neither of these attempts proves successful, the Dean may in exceptional cases permit a fourth attempt (administered by a commission). It is not permitted to repeat an examination for the main subjects or to repeat written examinations.

The credit is an ungraded form of assessment of studies. It is allocated upon fulfilment of requirements stipulated for individual subjects and is recorded in the information system with the word „Credited“ (Z). An examination is a graded form of assessment of studies, which tests knowledge and level of creativity in the relevant subject. In the main subjects, examinations are administered by a commission. An examination may be practical, written, oral, or involve a combination of these methods. Examinations are graded on the scale „A, B, C, D, E, F“.

Graduation requirements:

The student fulfils the requirements of the study plan.

The student passes the final state examination.

The State Bachelor´s Examination consists of the following parts:

- a 65-minute solo recital with accompaniment;

- the Bachelor's thesis and its defence;

- the state examination in jazz theory.

Mode of study:

full-time

Qualification director or equivalent:

Jiří HLAVÁČ

Field of study is part of study programme:

• Art of Music – (B8201)

Study plans of qualification:

• Double Bass-Jazz (Bc)