Jazz Guitar 1C

About this course

The course introduces jazz through a repertoire of standards spanning swing, Latin, blues, modal, funk and ballad styles. Learners study jazz harmony, chord structures, scales, arpeggios and improvisation techniques while working on melodies and progressions. Classes combine listening to recordings with practical playing. Participants take turns performing rhythmic, technical and chordal exercises, develop approaches to soloing and comping, and work towards playing tunes as part of an ensemble. Practice and transcription methods are also addressed.

What you'll learn

• Play four jazz tunes in contrasting styles, including their melodies and harmonies
• Use basic scales and arpeggios to improvise over chord changes
• Apply jazz chord shapes and manipulate chords used in standard repertoire
• Perform rhythmic, melodic and harmonic ideas in jazz solos and comping
• Play as part of an ensemble and use effective practice and transcription methods

Is this course right for you?

This course is intended for guitarists with at least three years of playing experience in other styles and little or no prior jazz knowledge. The intermediate label indicates study beyond fundamental guitar skills. Learners should be prepared to practise between classes, prepare tunes and attend each week.

• Basic knowledge of the major scale, major and minor pentatonic scales, and triad and seventh chord symbols is expected
• Music notation reading is advantageous, but melodies can be studied using TAB and recordings

Before you go

• Participants must bring a guitar and lead to lessons.
• Amps are provided when needed.
• Bring manuscript paper, a notebook and writing materials.