If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. Our focus is the study of jazz harmony and voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. To benefit from this course you need to play piano at grade 5 or above and be fluent playing major and minor scales.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Prepare to play essential jazz standards that involve harmonic/melodic/rhythmic features that are typical of the music style. Tunes that are 16 or 32 bars long, plus 12 bar blues. Learn about VI II V I (cycle of 5ths) progressions. Also static modal tunes such as Little sunflower or So what. You will study fundamentals of jazz style and piano voicing. You will learn to play to the metronome. You will meet some approaches to improvising.
What will we cover?
Each lesson includes preparatory work, practising to backing which uses common harmonic progressions, and rehearsing chords and scales. We study and play a chosen standard tune every 3 weeks or so. Approaches to improvisation over standard tunes.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to practise - Play jazz voicings and appropriate rhythms - Memorise some standard tunes - Understand concepts of building intros, accompanying, and following a lead sheet - begin to improvise in the appropriate style.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should have good piano playing and reading skills, minimum Grade 5, and be fluent in the 12 major and relative minor scales.We hope you have an interest in jazz piano and experience of listening to jazz recordings. Experience of studying harmony will be of advantage. You will need to be able to play at least triads and their inversions at the piano.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
With everyone at a digital piano, the class will play together with tutorial input and individual help / advice. Learn to practise along to rhythm section backing tracks. Resources are provided also in the Google classroom, but there will be examples in class to write and copy.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Early signs of musical activity indicated David’s future path, and after taking grades on both piano and viola, he obtained a first-class honours degree in music at Leeds University, studying both instruments. He subsequently completed a postgraduate jazz course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying piano with Simon Purcell, where he obtained an LGSM. He obtained an MMus in composition with Merit at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, with support from the Trinity College London scholarship, studying with Deirdre Gribbin, Gwyn Pritchard and Paul Newland. David is passionate about teaching, and teaches adult piano students at City Lit, as well as piano to individuals in his private practice and to young learners for Richmond Music Trust. He also performs from time to time as a jazz and classical pianist and undertakes practical music examining work for ABRSM jazz and classical syllabuses both in the UK and abroad. David also enjoys playing chamber music on viola.
Della RhodesSee moreSee less
Della has enjoyed working at City Lit for over 3 decades, teaching, managing, learning. After training in contemporary dance, Della became consumed by drama and music work. Music came to dominate, playing in bands, song writing, teaching for, and advising, the Youth Service and Adult Education. Performing and writing arrangements for pop and jazz a cappella has been a 30 year journey. So too the teaching of jazz musicianship. Gratitude is due to early mentor Amit Sen for introducing 'the jazz thing'.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/jazz-piano-11179130Jazz piano 1https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/piano-workshop-6-1024_1.jpg229229GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Piano/keyboards classes22851314135113601228513141351If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. Our focus is the study of jazz harmony and voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. To benefit from this course you need to play piano at grade 5 or above and be fluent playing major and minor scales.003005938Jazz piano 1229229https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/piano-workshop-6-1024_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekend2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceApr 2026Performing artsME624229229Jazz piano 1229160229David Frankeljazz-piano-1/me624-2526If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. Our focus is the study of jazz harmony and voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. To benefit from this course you need to play piano at grade 5 or above and be fluent playing major and minor scales.0000-Available|2026-04-25 00:00:00Prepare to play essential jazz standards that involve harmonic/melodic/rhythmic features that are typical of the music style. Tunes that are 16 or 32 bars long, plus 12 bar blues. Learn about VI II V I (cycle of 5ths) progressions. Also static modal tunes such as Little sunflower or So what. You will study fundamentals of jazz style and piano voicing. You will learn to play to the metronome. You will meet some approaches to improvising.If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. Our focus is the study of jazz harmony and voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. To benefit from this course you need to play piano at grade 5 or above and be fluent playing major and minor scales.<p>Each lesson includes preparatory work, practising to backing which uses common harmonic progressions, and rehearsing chords and scales. We study and play a chosen standard tune every 3 weeks or so. Approaches to improvisation over standard tunes. </p>- Demonstrate an understanding of how to practise<br/>- Play jazz voicings and appropriate rhythms<br/>- Memorise some standard tunes<br/>- Understand concepts of building intros, accompanying, and following a lead sheet<br/>- begin to improvise in the appropriate style.You should have good piano playing and reading skills, minimum Grade 5, and be fluent in the 12 major and relative minor scales.We hope you have an interest in jazz piano and experience of listening to jazz recordings. Experience of studying harmony will be of advantage. You will need to be able to play at least triads and their inversions at the piano.With everyone at a digital piano, the class will play together with tutorial input and individual help / advice. Learn to practise along to rhythm section backing tracks. Resources are provided also in the Google classroom, but there will be examples in class to write and copy.Please have manuscript paper, pencil, eraser.You can progress to Jazz piano 2 next term.MusicPiano/keyboards classesvirtual3034756Jazz piano 1249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/piano-workshop-6-1024_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekend2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Performing artsME621249249Jazz piano 1249174249Della Rhodesjazz-piano-1/me621-2627If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. The focus is on jazz harmony and chord voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. You'll need to play piano at grade 5 or above.0000-Available|2026-09-19 00:00:00<p>Prepare to play jazz standards that involve common harmonic/melodic/rhythmic features, i.e. standards that are 16 or 32 bars long (and 12 bar blues) and which involve VI II V I (cycle of 5ths) progressions. You will study fundamentals of jazz style and piano voicing.</p>If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. The focus is on jazz harmony and chord voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. You'll need to play piano at grade 5 or above.Each lesson includes preparatory work, practising to backing for common harmonic progressions, and rehearsing chords and scales. We study and play a chosen standard tune every 3 weeks or so. Approaches to improvisation over standard tunes. Study how to create basslines and learn the essential chord symbols.<p>- Demonstrate an understanding of what and how to practise<br/>- Play jazz voicings and appropriate rhythms<br/>- Memorise a few standard tunes<br/>- Understand concepts of building intros, accompanying, following a lead sheet.</p><p>You should have good piano playing and reading skills, minimum Grade 5, and be fluent in all major and relative minor scales.We hope you have an interest in jazz piano and experience of listening to jazz recordings. Experience of studying harmony will be of advantage. You will need to be able already to play triads and their inversions at the piano.</p>You will be at a digital piano, the class will play together and there will be tutorial input with appropriate individual help / advice and practising to rhythm section backings. Lead sheets will be provided, but there will also be examples to write and/or copy, and class hand-outs on some topics.Please bring manuscript paper, pencil, eraser and a machine to record parts of the class if you wish.You can progress to Jazz piano 2.MusicPiano/keyboards classesvirtual229,249229,249160,174ME624,ME621NONESat25/04/26 - 11/07/2615:45 - 17:1515:4517:1511 sessions (over 12 weeks)1111 weeks or longerDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetDavid Frankel,Della RhodesAvailable courses2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00,2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026,Sep 2026Performing arts229229,249Jazz piano 1jazz-piano-1/me624-2526,jazz-piano-1/me621-2627If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. Our focus is the study of jazz harmony and voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. To benefit from this course you need to play piano at grade 5 or above and be fluent playing major and minor scales.,If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. The focus is on jazz harmony and chord voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. You'll need to play piano at grade 5 or above.0000-Available|2026-04-25 00:00:00Prepare to play essential jazz standards that involve harmonic/melodic/rhythmic features that are typical of the music style. Tunes that are 16 or 32 bars long, plus 12 bar blues. Learn about VI II V I (cycle of 5ths) progressions. Also static modal tunes such as Little sunflower or So what. You will study fundamentals of jazz style and piano voicing. You will learn to play to the metronome. You will meet some approaches to improvising.,<p>Prepare to play jazz standards that involve common harmonic/melodic/rhythmic features, i.e. standards that are 16 or 32 bars long (and 12 bar blues) and which involve VI II V I (cycle of 5ths) progressions. You will study fundamentals of jazz style and piano voicing.</p>If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. Our focus is the study of jazz harmony and voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. To benefit from this course you need to play piano at grade 5 or above and be fluent playing major and minor scales.,If you have pop piano training or equivalent keyboard harmony skill, come and tackle the easier end of the jazz piano repertoire. The focus is on jazz harmony and chord voicing, interpretation of a lead sheet and good timing. You'll need to play piano at grade 5 or above.<p>Each lesson includes preparatory work, practising to backing which uses common harmonic progressions, and rehearsing chords and scales. We study and play a chosen standard tune every 3 weeks or so. Approaches to improvisation over standard tunes. </p>,Each lesson includes preparatory work, practising to backing for common harmonic progressions, and rehearsing chords and scales. We study and play a chosen standard tune every 3 weeks or so. Approaches to improvisation over standard tunes. Study how to create basslines and learn the essential chord symbols.- Demonstrate an understanding of how to practise<br/>- Play jazz voicings and appropriate rhythms<br/>- Memorise some standard tunes<br/>- Understand concepts of building intros, accompanying, and following a lead sheet<br/>- begin to improvise in the appropriate style.,<p>- Demonstrate an understanding of what and how to practise<br/>- Play jazz voicings and appropriate rhythms<br/>- Memorise a few standard tunes<br/>- Understand concepts of building intros, accompanying, following a lead sheet.</p>You should have good piano playing and reading skills, minimum Grade 5, and be fluent in the 12 major and relative minor scales.We hope you have an interest in jazz piano and experience of listening to jazz recordings. Experience of studying harmony will be of advantage. You will need to be able to play at least triads and their inversions at the piano.,<p>You should have good piano playing and reading skills, minimum Grade 5, and be fluent in all major and relative minor scales.We hope you have an interest in jazz piano and experience of listening to jazz recordings. Experience of studying harmony will be of advantage. You will need to be able already to play triads and their inversions at the piano.</p>With everyone at a digital piano, the class will play together with tutorial input and individual help / advice. Learn to practise along to rhythm section backing tracks. Resources are provided also in the Google classroom, but there will be examples in class to write and copy.,You will be at a digital piano, the class will play together and there will be tutorial input with appropriate individual help / advice and practising to rhythm section backings. Lead sheets will be provided, but there will also be examples to write and/or copy, and class hand-outs on some topics.Please have manuscript paper, pencil, eraser.,Please bring manuscript paper, pencil, eraser and a machine to record parts of the class if you wish.You can progress to Jazz piano 2 next term.,You can progress to Jazz piano 2.MusicPiano/keyboards classesconfigurable
