The pre-class assignment focuses on listening rather than reading. There is only one focal reading. For those who are very interested in the subject, other suggested readings will be posted at our website. We encourage posts to focus instead on the suggested listening, with the following questions in mind:
What are my criteria for “good music”? What are the characteristics of the music I like to listen to? From where in my background do these criteria emerge? What guidelines would I suggest for how to compose or improvise music that I would like?

Reading:
http://www.vi-co.org/pdf/World-Music-and-Jazz-Improv_study-guide.pdf

Listening:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dw47fZLpSw (Ghanaian post office)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICDmkE_50ME (didjeridu)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldPMifPbngc&NR=1 (gamelan)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/musicinstinct/video/performance/world-music-improvisation/25/ (vocal improv)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuRhdxnPCJ4 (Ellington)
http://www.smithsonianjazz.org/class/armstrong/la/la_westend.mp3 (Armstrong)

BONUS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tprMEs-zfQA (Kutiman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9pOq8u6-bA&feature=related (musique concrète)