Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off one whole year of Unlimited learning. Subscribe for just £249.99 £174.99. New subscribers only. T&Cs apply

Find out more

Medium Blues Performance Assessment: outline

Performance Assessment
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.

© Goldsmiths, University of London
This article is from the free online

Learn Jazz Piano: Begin with the Blues

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now