Curriculum

Each day on the four-day course is built upon five core sessions, designed to build up the General Jazz Musicianship of each student: The History, The Head, The Changes, Jazz Vocabulary & The Classic Solo. Every session will include guided discussions, focused listening and lots of playing!JJJA_130518_0446_2000x620px

 

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The History

These sessions will take a look into the history of the tune, focusing on the masters who recorded it, and the circumstances that surrounded it. Students will be encouraged to take ownership of the music, which will feed in to their overall passion and understanding.

The Head

‘The Head’ is a jazz term for the melodic arrangement that usually happens at the beginning and end of a jazz tune. In the session students will learn the melody of the tune by ear, focusing on the subtle nuances of each recording, and how to Swing with the greats!

Jazz Vocabulary

Solos! Within the group setting the students will learn the different vocabulary to use over the repertoire (scales / chord tones / arpeggios etc.). For some students this will be their tentative first steps into the inspiring and creative world of improvising, for others this will be a chance to go deeper into the language that underpins these great pieces.

The Changes

‘The Changes’ is a jazz term which means the harmonic progression that underpins a tune, (i.e. how the chords change throughout the piece). In this session every student will learn by ear the bass motion and basic chords that run through it. This session will support the Jazz Vocabulary session, and teaches the students how everything in jazz connects together.

The Classic Solo

During The Classic Solo session students will learn a solo directly from one of the recordings, in order for them to internalise great, swinging phrases, and to absorb vocabulary and style directly from the masters. This is an essential part of jazz education, and will promote the idea that you can learn all music (however complex) simply by using your ear!
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Alongside the five core sessions above there are also the following supporting sessions:

Warm ups

Will set up a positive and swinging vibe for the day. Gently opening the students’ ears to what they’ll be learning each day through fun and interactive call and response sessions.

Introduction

Introducing the week and the central idea of learning jazz by ear and why it’s important to study recordings. This time will also be spent getting to know each other, and forming the bonds necessary to achieve a successful dynamic within the group.

Jam Session
A chance for all the students to play through the tunes they’ve been working on in a relaxed session, embracing and bringing together all the concepts they’ve been learning up till that point. Also a time to simply enjoy the feeling of playing jazz with confidence and understanding.

Showing

This will be a relaxed performance and talk at the end of the course to show family and friends all the hard work and fun that’s gone on over the week. By this time no doubt the group will have become a swingin’ jazz ensemble, and will leave you wanting more!