Jazz Classes
Jazz Improv – Course includes The emphasis in this course is in learning how to improvise in the Jazz Style. This course is open to students and adults who have control of their instrument and can play at the intermediate level or better. Students must be able to play their major scales up to at least 3 sharps and 3 flats by memory, slurred and in even 1/8 or 1/16 notes. The books that are used are for Bb, Eb and C instruments. Also if you play flute, clarinet, oboe, bass clarinet, bassoon, tuba, euphonium or baritone horn you are welcome along with the traditional jazz instruments of sax, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass and guitar. Drummers must be willing to play mallets, either vibes or marimba. Other topics covered will be a short history of jazz, the major players and innovators, combo playing, when to swing the 1/8 notes and when to play them straight. Jazz articulations, how to interrupt a lead sheet both melodically and harmonically. Bandstand etiquette, who solos first, how introductions and tag endings work.
Instructor: Larry Weintraub
Day of the Week and Time: Tuesday– 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Length of Course: 9 Weeks
Cost: $150.00
Dates: March 19 - May 14
Room Number: TBA
XCMA 1403D
Call Number: TBA
More information:
Course Title: Beginning Jazz Improvisation -
Teacher: Larry Weintraub
Jazz is a language and the 3 parts of the class, instruction, playing and listening will help you learn to speak the language. The course will show students how to practice the Jazz Way (it's different), how to use various scales, chords and patterns to develop the ability to improvise. The instruction part will include Music Theory, scales, chords, patterns etc as it relates to Jazz Improvisation. The playing part will be with Play-A--Long CD's taking what you learn in the instruction part and applying it to improvisation/performance. The listening part will be CD's/Records/Tapes of established players. In order to play jazz you must know what it's supposed to sound like.
The students will need to purchase the following items by going to Jamey Aebersold's website www.jajazz.com in this order: All are by Jamey Aebersold unless noted. (Jamey's books have C, Bb, Eb and bass clef parts already in each book.)
1. Volume 24 - Major and Minor
2. The Blues Scales - Essential Tools For Jazz Improvisation by Dan Greenblatt. Buy the book for your instrument, either Bb, Eb or C book.(can also be bought at http://shermusic.com under Jazz Method Books at the bottom of the scroll. If you buy it on Jamey's site you must do a search for it at the search window)
3. Volume 1 - How To Play Jazz and Improvise
4. Volume 54 - Maiden Voyage
5. Blank manuscript paper, a pencil and a willingness to practice. If you can only afford 2 books please start with Volume 24 and The Blues Scales Book by Dan Greenblatt.
Optional item: for safety's sake please bring an instrument stand for your horn. That way you do not need to use a chair to rest your horn on.
Other topics covered will be a short history of jazz, the major players and innovators, combo playing, when to swing the 1/8 notes and when to play them straight. Jazz articulations, how to interrupt a lead sheet both melodically and harmonically. Bandstand etiquette, who solos first, how introductions and tag endings work.