JMI Night Classes

The JMI Vocal Classes will run for 8 weeks by one of JMI’s esteeemed vocal teachers.

These classes are specifically for vocalists looking to learn how to improvise and develop singing jazz repertoire. Classes will focus on the following topics/concepts:

– Warm up exercises
– Improvisation concepts
– Music Theory
– Developing repertoire
– Understanding different jazz styles
– Understanding different song forms

Below is a list of sample repertoire could be chosen throughout the course:

– All of Me
– Blues
– Fly Me to the Moon
– Wave
– I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
– Beautiful Love
– On the Sunny Side of the Street

The Beginner Instrumental Classes are aimed towards those who have been playing their instrument for at least 2 years, but with limited to no experience in performing jazz or improvising.

The classes will be spent focusing on the following topics throughout the 8-week term. Most classes will only focus on 3 or 4 of the below topics throughout the 8 weeks:

– 6 Common Chord Types in keys of C, F, Bb & Eb
– Simplified Blues (1,4,5 type progression).
– Introduction of standard jazz blues chord progression.
– Harmonic Generalisation (minor pentatonic, Kansas City scale)
– Arpeggio use/exercises
– Simple approach tones
– Basic guide tone concept introducing voice leading
– Rhythm: Working towards simple syncopated rhythmic ideas
– Comping: Focusing on groove based (riff, repetitive etc) accompaniment ideas

The following repertoire will be used to deliver the class content throughout the 8 weeks (classes will most likely focus on 4 or 5 of these repertoire pieces):

– C Jam Blues
– Sonnymoon For Two
– Bags Groove
– Blue Bossa
– Take the A Train
– Careless Love
– Bill Bailey
– Mack the Knife
– Lady Be Good

The Intermediate Instrumental Classes are focused towards those that have experience in improvising and would like to push their current skill set and knowledge with like-minded musicians.

These classes are perfect for those who want to delve into more complex harmony and improvisation techniques without studying in a full-time course.

The classes will be spent focusing on the following topics throughout the 8-week term. Most classes will only focus on 3 or 4 of the below topics throughout the 8 weeks:

– 6 Common Chord Types with inversions (In majority of keys C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, G, D).
– Arpeggios/use of inversions.
– Guide tone/voice leading concepts continued.
– Approach tones continued.
– Syncopated rhythmic devices.
– Transposition techniques.
– Comping: Focusing on interacting with soloist/filling in gaps whilst still providing clear
rhythmic/harmonic support.
– Introduction of minor harmony/working with minor 2-5 progressions/tonic minor.
– Introduction of bebop scales (Major, Dominant, Dorian Minor).
– Eighth note line construction techniques (bebop scales, approach tones,
enclosures/surrounds etc).

The following repertoire will be used to deliver the class content throughout the 8 weeks (classes will most likely focus on 4 or 5 of these repertoire pieces):

– Blue Monk/Now’s the Time/Tenor Madness
– Autumn Leaves
– Exactly Like You
– There Will Never Be Another You
– Lester Leaps In
– Polkadots and Moonbeams
– Triste

The Advanced Instrumental Classes are focused towards those that have extensive experience in improvising and performing jazz and would like to continue to learn more advanced improvisational skills and knowledge with like-minded musicians.

The classes will be spent focusing on the following topics throughout the 8-week term. Most classes will only focus on 3 or 4 of the below topics throughout the 8 weeks:

– 6 Common Chord Types with inversions (In all 12 keys).
– Approach tones (more advanced).
– Guide tone/voice leading concepts continued.
– Syncopated rhythmic devices/advanced rhythmic ideas.
– Transposition techniques.
– Comping: Focusing on interacting with soloist more/filling in gaps whilst still providing clear
rhythmic/harmonic support.
– Continued Eighth note line construction techniques (bebop scales, approach tones,
enclosures/surrounds/digital patterns etc).
– Bebop scales (Major, Dominant, Dorian Minor, Tonic Minor, Half Diminished, Dominant b9).
– Advanced improvisation techniques (as applicable to repertoire) Triad pairing, digital
patterns, tritone substitutions etc.

The following repertoire will be used to deliver the class content throughout the 8 weeks (classes will most likely focus on 4 or 5 of these repertoire pieces):

– Billie’s Bounce/Relaxin at Camirillo/Blues for Alice
– Alone Together
– On Green Dolphin St
– I’ll Remember April
– It Could Happen to You
– Body and Soul
– Recorda Me
– Stella by Starlight
– Confirmation

To sign up to the next term of Vocal Night Classes, complete the online Registration Form

To apply for JMI’s Beginner Instrumental Classes, you will need to complete the online Registration Form and send JMI a short video of you performing the following:

Instrumentalists:

– Major scales in C, F, Bb, Eb (Concert) eighth notes at minimum 72bpm.
– Perform major 7, dominant 7 and minor 7 arpeggios in the keys of C, F & G.
– Perform the melody of one tune from the Beginner Repertoire List at a reasonable tempo (sheet music for repertoire is available upon request by contacting JMI)

Drummers:

– Play a swing feel over a blues at 120 Bpm with sticks. Outline the form with a fill back into the top of the form.
– Play a swing feel over a Blues at 120 with Brushes. Outline the form with a fill back into the top of the form.
– Demonstrate Single stroke, Double Stroke rolls, Paradiddle and Flam cleanly at a steady tempo

For instructions on how to send your video to JMI, go to How to send application videos

If you feel you are not quite ready to start this class level, perhaps you should consider JMI’s Private Lessons packages to help you get up to speed.

To apply for JMI’s Intermediate Instrumental Classes, you will need to complete the online Registration Form and send JMI a short video of you performing the following:

Instrumentalists:

– Major scales in C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, G, D (Concert) eighth notes at minimum 92bpm.
– 6 Common Chord Types in one key played as ascending root position arpeggios chosen from above list. (Eg. In the key of C: Cmaj7, C7, C-7, C-7b5, Cdim, Caug).
– Perform one tune from the Intermediate Repertoire List at tempo appropriate to tune. Performance of repertoire must include both the melody and an improvised solo (sheet music for repertoire is available upon request by contacting JMI)

Drummers:

– Play a swing feel over a blues at 140 Bpm with sticks. Outline the form with a fill back into the top of the form. Trade 4’s for at least 2 choruses.
– Play a swing feel over a Blues at 140 with Brushes. Outline the form by doing a fill back into the top of the form.
– Play a Bossa Nova feel over Blue Bossa. Outline the form with a fill back into the top of the form. Trade 4’s for 2 choruses.
– Demonstrate Single stroke, Double Stroke rolls, Paradiddle and Flam cleanly at a steady tempo

For instructions on how to send your video to JMI, go to How to send application videos

If you feel you are not quite ready to start this class level, perhaps you should consider JMI’s Private Lessons packages to help you get up to speed.

To apply for JMI’s Advanced Instrumental Classes, you will need to complete the online Registration Form and send JMI a short video of you performing the following:

Instrumentalists:

– Major scales in all 12 keys eighth notes at minimum 120bpm.
– 6 Common Chord Types in one key played as arpeggios in all inversions ascending only (Eg. In the key of C. Cmaj7, C7, C-7, C-7b5, Cdim, Caug).
– Perform one tune from the Advanced Repertoire List at tempo appropriate to tune. Performance of repertoire must include melody and an improvised solo (sheet music for repertoire is available upon request by contacting JMI)

Drummers:

– Play a swing feel over a blues and jazz standard between 80-160 Bpm with sticks. Outline the form with a fill back into the top of the form. Trade 4’s for at least 2 choruses.
– Play a swing feel over a Blues at 140 with Brushes. Outline the form with a small fill back into the top of the form.
– Play a Bossa Nova feel over Blue Bossa. Outline the form with a small fill back into the top of the form. Trade 4’s for 2 choruses.
– Demonstrate Single stroke, Double Stroke rolls, Paradiddle and Flam cleanly at a steady tempo

For instructions on how to send your video to JMI, go to How to send application videos

If you feel you are not quite ready to start this class level, perhaps you should consider JMI’s Private Lessons packages to help you get up to speed.