An Aural Learning Project: Assimilating Jazz Education Methods for Traditional Applied Pedagogy

The Aural Learning Project (ALP) was developed to incorporate jazz method components into the author's classical practice and her applied woodwind lesson curriculum. The primary objective was to place a more focused pedagogical emphasis on listening and hearing than is traditionally used in the classical applied curriculum. The components of the ALP for the applied studio are (1) listening to at least two professional recordings of the works currently being studied and analyzing the performances, (2) recording projects with a written evaluation of the performance, (3) SmartMusic practice, (4) memorization and transcription projects, (5) assigned readings and research on works studied, and (6) composed and improvised warm-up and technique exercises. This article is a report on the project and a description of its implementation and assessment.