Transcribe jazz solos
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- Course Code: ME628
- Dates: 13/10/24 - 16/03/25
- Time: 14:00 - 17:00
- Taught: Sun, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 23 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Tim Richards
Course Code: ME628
Duration: 6 sessions (over 23 weeks)
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.
What is the course about?
This is a study group for able jazz players, meeting 6 times across 6 months to explore, discuss, transcribe and play samples of work by important jazz musicians of the last 100 years.
What will we cover?
- In depth listening to jazz recordings in a variety of styles and vintage
- Transcription and analysis of recorded solos
- Application of stylistic and technical features from recordings to your own solos.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Transcribe solos with increased facility
- Derive benefit from the sharing of work
- Apply techniques and features found in recordings to your own playing
- Display improved aural skills
- Play interesting solos.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an advanced level course suitable for instrumentalists and pianists who have completed several years of jazz study. Good reading skills and a command of jazz harmony are essential. Players of transposing instruments are required to present their transcription work in concert key as well as their key, most easily managed by competent use of music software.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The tutor will suggest tunes and specific recordings for study, but you are free to make your own choices.
Help will be given with analysis and transcribing of solos.
Between class meetings you will need to spend time listening to and transcribing material.
Sharing of insights and techniques will be a major part of our activities.
Some 'woodshedding' of techniques and music devices we meet along the way.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Sample study material will be provided by the tutor, but you may need to purchase tracks for study, or access music on YouTube. Some keyboard harmony facility is desirable, but all instruments are welcome to this class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may repeat this course with a different student cohort, and a different collection of instruments and tunes.
Tim Richards has been a presence on the UK and international jazz scene since the early 1980s. He started with classical piano lessons but was lured to jazz and blues by hearing Thelonius Monk and Otis Spann. He has performed with Spirit Level (1980s and 90s) and more recently Great Spirit, Tim Richards Trio, and Tim Richards Hextet. He also composes in a variety of genres and ensembles. Tim has over thirty years' experience of teaching jazz piano, blues piano and improvisation. He teaches privately, in workshops and in schools, colleges and universities. He has published books on learning jazz, blues and Latin piano (Schott) and is a lead consultant to the ABRSM on its jazz piano syllabus and exams.
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.
