MYSO Jazz Studies is for serious students who are interested in learning jazz music. The program is centered around combo playing (small group – one on a part). The focus lies on learning several different techniques, specific to your instrument, that are needed in order to be successful in playing jazz music. There are four different levels in the jazz program. In addition to the nine jazz combos, there are two Latin combos that concentrate on a variety of Latin music styles, including--but not limited to--Latin jazz, salsa and marengue.

The Jazz Foundation class is for students who are eager to learn jazz but are not quite ready for a combo. Each student is involved in one 1-hour techniques class (no combo; either improvisation-, piano-, drums- or bass-techniques) on Tuesdays, 5-6pm. In this class you will focus on learning the foundations of the jazz language specific to your instrument. You will focus on the fundamentals of the jazz vocabulary, talk about jazz history, and touch on some basic jazz/music theory (1 hour per week, Tuesdays). After succesfully completing this class, a student should be ready for the beginning level class, which includes a combo experience.

In the beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes, students will participate in both a techniques class AND a jazz combo (two1-hour classes, back to back).

• Beginning: Tuesdays, 6-8pm
• Intermediate: Wednesdays, 5-7pm
• Advanced: Wednesdays, 7-9pm
• Latin Combos: Thursday, 5-7pm OR 7-9pm

In the techniques class you will learn about the jazz language/vocabulary and how to apply it on your instrument. You will learn about jazz history, who the key players are/were, and learn about music/jazz theory. Rhythm section techniques classes will regularly combine for a full rhythm section masterclass.

 

• Piano Techniques: Learn a large variety of voicings, how and when to apply them; learn how to create smooth voiceleading to play authentic jazz comping. Students will also work on improvisation techniques, scales, and vocabulary to create a well-rounded jazz pianist.
• Bass Techniques: Learn the physical techniques used as a jazz bassist. Learn how to create effective walking bass lines—from simple roots and fifths to complex chromatic lines and chord substitutions. Work on a large variety of rhythmic ideas, including Latin bass rhythms. Students will also work on improvisation techniques and explore and analyze bass solos from some of the bass greats.
• Drum Techniques: Drummers will touch on a large variety of jazz styles, including Bebop, Swing, Latin, and Funk—working from beginning drum rudiments and drumset techniques through complex independent drum patterns. Students will learn how to communicate and interact with the rhythm section, explore drum styles of some of the great jazz drummers, and, most importantly, students will learn how to create/construct effective drum solos.
• Improvisation Techniques (this includes all wind and string instruments): Students will work on jazz theory—how chords are built, how they relate. Students will work on scales and a large number of scalar patterns to build a solid jazz vocabulary. Students will transcribe and analyze legendary solos and learn to incorporate specific “licks” into their own solos. This all leads to the ability to create effective and impressive jazz solos.

In the combo you will learn what your role/function is in a combo setting and work on a large variety of jazz standards—learning “the head” of some of the best known and most significant jazz standards and applying the skills from the techniques classes to make a successful performance ensemble—with a focus on improvisation. For the advanced combos, writing your own arrangements or even compositions will be an option for those who are interested.

As mentioned above, in addition to our nine jazz combos (three at each level), we have two Latin combos that meet on Thursday either 5-7pm or 7-9pm. Students who audition for a Latin combo will be assigned either the earlier class or the later class. Students who are in a jazz combo could also enroll in a Latin combo if interested, especially drummers (from either the Tuesday or the Wednesday jazz combos) who are interested in learning Latin percussion (conga, timbales, bongo, etc).

There will be three Jazz Studies concerts for all Jazz and Latin combos (early November, late January, and mid-May). In addition there will be 2 - 3 Jazz Studies jam sessions. These will be in a relaxed social environment where the students can put together their own combination of MYSO Jazz Studies students to jam together. (Participation in at least 1 of the jam sessions is mandatory.)