Jazz piano: advanced
Choose a starting date
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.
- Start Date: 10 Jan 2026End Date: 28 Mar 2026Sat (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)Course Code: ME625BTutors: Della RhodesFull fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00
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?
Learn to play jazz standards with demanding harmonic, rhythmic and melodic issues. Consolidate and develop the work covered in previous jazz piano courses. Improvise and accompany ("comp") with greater confidence and skill.
What will we cover?
- The role of the piano in a rhythm section, and as a solo instrument
- Playing standards that include minor/altered harmony, substitution of dominant chords, and modal harmony
- Developing your ability to improvise on the study tunes
- left hand chords practice
- bassline duty.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Improve your sense of time, and range of grooves
- Build confidence to play in public
- Read charts effectively; memorise tunes and harmonic sequences
- Expand your repertoire
- 'Comp' as part of a piano duo
- Build and play solos
- Become a reliable accompanist
- navigate a lead sheet efficiently.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should have an intermediate level of jazz piano skill and understanding. You should have successfully completed jazz piano 4 or have playing experience that has given you confidence and know-how in the use of scales and modes, patterns, swing & latin rhythms, common jazz chord progressions, and extended chord voicing.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
We'll play 'together' in class. Tutorial input on aural and theoretical matters, and some demonstration.
There will be some solo playing, and duets where one player features and the other accompanies. You are encouraged to record your private practice and submit recordings for appreciation and assessment.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please have manuscript for class notes. All music materials supplied for class and in the Google classroom.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can progress to jazz harmony & ear training study, and jazz ensemble activities.
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.
