MUSIC 240Introduction to Jazz
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Music
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
A survey of the development of jazz schools and individual styles as well as a study of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic improvisation. Styles will be demonstrated through recordings and live performance.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4311 | 0 / 75 | Th 18:00–20:50 |
| LEC 701 | 1720 | 17 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
82% liked it85% easy70% useful
From 17 ratings and 7 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
As someone who likes jazz this was less than stimulating. A lot of memorization. Fun anecdotes.
Jul 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Took this in winter 24 in person and it was pretty cool. 3 hour long lecture in the evening but the content was pretty interesting and there was a lot of listening to music so that cut it up pretty well. There were a couple assignments that were a bit tough/time consuming, but overall pretty good.
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
A great course of Jazz history, but due to COVID, she delivered half of her lectures online WITHOUT any voiceovers - it was a nightmare to read through the 100 page rather disorganized PPT per lecture without her walking you through it. The assignment is fun tho.
Mar 2022 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Taken online during COVID; in-person mileage may vary.
This is very much a jazz history course: you mainly learn about various musicians and their contributions to movements throughout jazz history. Theory is very light. Assessments were three 60-MC quizzes and two listening exercises where you identify the form/structure of a few jazz pieces and write about the performances.Apr 2021 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Lots of memorization for the listening playlists, but it really makes you get an ear for the differences in subgenres of jazz music across the decades. Gives you a really interesting and nuanced understanding for one of the biggest genres of music, but you need to put in work!
May 2018 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
8 posts and comments in 8 threads mention MUSIC 240, July 2015 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2023
Equity request for access to beer 11 points, 2 comments
u/PM_ME_YOUR_SUBARU: “Drink beer from an opaque canteen, literally nobody will know or care. Source: evening lectures and st paddys day mornings. Seemed on-brand for MUSIC 140 and 240.”
How to know courses don’t have exams or finals? 1 point, 9 comments
u/PailsInCompartments: “… Here is my list of preferred courses: ENGL 335 ENGL 210C THPERF 100 MUSIC 270 SMF 101 ENGL 204 THREPF 102 KOREA 101R MUSIC 240 MUSIC 112 Any general advice for other easy or exam-less courses, or for exchange and International students is very much welcome too; Thank you!”
Spring 2021
What are Best/Worst courses you took during the two Online years? 21 points, 45 comments
u/Plane_Razzmatazz_143: “… Davison), MUSIC 140, MUSIC 240 (Prof. Wood), ECE 463 (Prof. Kazerani) All three profs were legendary! They had every little thing preplanned and structured to handle an online term effectively. …”
Fall 2020
MUSIC 256 Reviews? 5 points, 1 comment
u/clew3: “… I'd also suggest MUSIC 240 (Intro to Jazz) and MUSIC 270 (Music Theory 1) cause they do be veryyyyy birdy. …”
Winter 2020
Textbook for MUSIC 240 1 point, 2 comments
u/berdem: “Patricia Brett is the prof this term and I was wondering if we ever use the textbook for this course. Also does it matter if I use the first edition instead of the second edition? Anyone who took the course, I would appreciate your answers :)”
Spring 2019
Walk home from MUSIC 140 be like 43 points, 16 comments
u/snow-covered-hills: “I’m so excited for the rest of the term in this course”
u/Omni123456: “… Take MUSIC 240 if you want to listen to Coltrane and stop using music competitively.”
Winter 2016
What are some of the most interesting courses you have taken? 13 points, 17 comments
“Hi everyone! I'm here for the spring and since I have an elective to fill, I need to take a course. So tell me what are some courses that you found interesting. …”
u/starkwahlberg: “MUSIC 240 - History of Jazz Music. You learn a lot about the artists, songs and styles of each era as well as how they came to be. Really cool stuff, get to listen to music for homework.”
Spring 2015
Music electives for engineers? 3 points, 3 comments
u/LittleEponine: “I have a CSE next term and I want to take a music elective. Has anyone taken music electives from the list? MUSIC 100, MUSIC 231, MUSIC 240, MUSIC 246, MUSIC 254, MUSIC 255, MUSIC 260, MUSIC 361 If you have, how was it? Would you recommend?”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them