Jazz piano 1
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- Course Code: ME888
- Dates: 25/04/24 - 04/07/24
- Time: 19:45 - 21:15
- Taught: Thu, Evening
- Duration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: David Frankel
Course Code: ME888
Choose a start date
Duration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)
Note: Course starts today, check start time
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What is the course about?
Prepare to play jazz standards that involve harmonic/melodic/rhythmic issues, i.e. standards that are 12 ,16 or 32 bars long (including 12 bar blues) and which involve II V I (cycle of 5ths) progressions. You will study fundamentals of jazz rhythm and piano voicing. You will learn to play to the metronome.
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. Reading sample solos. Study how to create basslines. Study tunes will include "So what", "Nostalgia in Times Square" and "Autumn leaves".
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 standard tunes
- Understand concepts of building intros, accompanying, and following a lead sheet.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should have good piano playing and reading skills, absolute 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. Pop piano experience is the ideal preparation for this course. You will need to be able to play at least triads and their inversions at the piano.
You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Each player will sit 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 backing tracks. Resouces are available in the Google classroom, but there will also be examples to read, write or copy in class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please have manuscript paper, pencil, eraser.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can progress to Jazz piano 2 next term.
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.
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.
