Medium Blues Performance Assessment: outline

Task: Record and submit a 3 chorus performance of a medium blues with a course playalong (attached at the bottom of this article).

You will need to upload an mp3 of your recording.

You may choose between:

1. “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be” in C
2. “Now’s The Time” in F
3. “Blue Monk” in B flat

The first and last chorus should be statements of the tune and the middle chorus should be an improvisation over voiced chords in the left hand.

Assessment Criteria:

There are four aspects each with a mark of 0, 1 or 2.

(i) Dropped beats

Are there any “dropped beats” where the performance is no longer in time with the playalong

• 0 – Many dropped beats
• 1 – One or two dropped beats
• 2 – None

(ii) Acceptable theme statements

• 0 – Unacceptable theme statements
• 1 – Theme statements could be much stronger
• 2 – Acceptable

(iii) Convincing jazz improvisation

• 0 – Completely unconvincing jazz improvisation
• 1 – Considerable room for improvement
• 2 – Sufficiently convincing

(iv) Overall jazz feel

Does the performance seem “rushed” or seem to “drag”?

Does the performance seem “lumpy” or is it “smooth”?

• 0 – A good jazz feel is completely absent
• 1 – Considerable room for improvement
• 2 – Acceptable

When you’re ready to submit, you can do so in the next step.