A hands-on course in advanced jazz harmony and improvisation, following the tutor's book 'Exploring Jazz Piano' Vol. 2.
Courses
Jazz Piano 4A
When & Where
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18 September 2024 - 11 December 2024 ( 18 hours, 12 weeks )
- Evening, Wednesday
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View course timetable
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Waterloo Centre
Quick Facts
- Availability No
- Tutor Tim Richards
- Course Code W24JPMB06A
- Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course
What you will learn
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Play a varied repertoire of jazz standard tunes
- Draw on a variety of improvisation techniques
- Accompany others by playing bass lines and chords
- Interpret lead sheets convincingly
- Be more confident playing with and in front of others
Cost
Full fee
£170
Concession fee
£130
Class format and activities
The class will be held in a keyboard room; each student has their own digital piano. Students can also play duets on two acoustic piano in the same room. In each term you will learn a selection of jazz standards in a variety of styles (swing, latin, blues, modal, funk, ballad, etc), study jazz harmony and chord voicing, and explore a range of improvisation techniques from Exploring Jazz Piano Vol. 2. Main emphasis is practical – you will take turns playing and perform rhythmic, technical, and chordal exercises suggested by the tutor. Frequent listening to jazz piano recordings will increase your knowledge and appreciation of the repertoire and of important jazz pianists. Topics covered this term include:• Quartal harmony, sus 4 and sharp 11 chords• Modal improvisation• The 'So What' voicing• Pentatonic scales• Thirteenth chords• Walking bass lines• Two-handed voicings• Building Bebop lines• II - V - I patterns, shells and rootless voicings
Entry requirements
Several years of previous jazz piano study, completion of Jazz Piano 3A, B and C. Working knowledge of basic jazz theory, chord symbols, modes, etc. Well developed improvisation and coordination skills. Time to practise between classes and commitment to attend every week. Music reading ability
What you need to know before you enrol
Homework will be given every week and students must be prepared to spend time doing the given assignments and preparing tunes for performance in class.
What you need
Recommended text: Exploring Jazz Piano Vol. 2, by Tim Richards (Schott Music 2005), available from all good music shops, from the tutor, or in Morley Library. You may also wish to check out the online YouTube clips linked with the book: https://goo.gl/2ztwU4
What you can do next
Jazz Piano 4B (next term) and 4C (summer term)
