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Jazz Intepretation

General information

The candidate must demonstrate an exceptional level in his/her specialty in the practical examination and meet the prescribed admission requirements. The practical examination determines the professional and, above all, artistic prerequisites for the study of the chosen specialisation of the given study programme: Percussion Performance, Jazz Performance, Jazz Composition and Arranging. The entrance examination takes the form of a solo or chamber performance. In addition, for the specialization Jazz Composition and Arranging , the applicant presents at least one composition or arrangement of his/her own.

What are the specific conditions of the entrance examination and what do applicants need to prepare?

The admission procedure is divided into four parts: theoretical, intonation and practical parts and a general knowledge test on jazz history.

Form of admission procedure

  1. Theoretical part:
    • Test your knowledge of the basics of jazz theory.
    • Knowledge test in the field of chord mark recognition and notation.
    • Questions about basic scales and mods and their use. Cadences and their derivation.
    • Harmonic notation of the Blues form.
    • A basic overview of the jazz repertoire and its composers.
  2. Intonation part:
    • Listening to intervals, chords and modes and their analysis.
    • Demonstration of the ability to hear and create intervals and basic types of fifth and seventh chords in a vocal manner.
    • Notation of the melody and rhythm of selected samples. The intonation part is part of the practical exam and the evaluation of the exam.
  3. Practical part:
    • Blues – interpretation of the chosen theme and improvisation within the jazz idiom and harmony of the blues form.
    • Interpretation of a randomly chosen jazz standard – playing themes from the sheet, improvisation on the given harmony, also chordal accompaniment in the given composition for harmonic instruments.
    • Interpretation of a jazz standard of your choice.
    • The candidate is obliged to bring the music notation of the standard for the accompanying players, who will be selected from among the teachers of the jazz department
  4. General knowledge test on jazz history.

Exam evaluation:

Theoretical part is 10% of the total evaluation;
Intonation part is 10% of the total evaluation;
Practical part is 70% of the total evaluation;
Knowledge test from jazz history is 10% of the total evaluation.