Jazz Piano Advanced Term 2

About this course

Participants develop advanced jazz piano skills through a varied repertoire of standards in styles including swing, Latin, blues, modal, funk and ballad. Class work combines harmony and chord-voicing study with improvisation exercises, accompaniment using bass lines and chords, and interpretation of lead sheets. Learners take turns playing with others, work in pairs and perform rhythmic, technical and chordal exercises. The term also examines diminished and altered chords, bebop scales, turnarounds, rootless-chord blues, and horizontal and vertical improvisation, with recorded listening used to explore the repertoire and significant jazz pianists.

What you'll learn

• Apply advanced jazz harmony concepts including diminished, altered, quartal and rootless chord structures
• Use a range of improvisation approaches, including bebop scales and horizontal and vertical techniques
• Accompany other players with bass lines, chords and appropriate voicings
• Interpret jazz lead sheets across a varied repertoire of standard tunes
• Perform rhythmic, technical and chordal exercises in class

Is this course right for you?

This course is intended for advanced players with several years of jazz piano study and a working knowledge of jazz theory, chord symbols and modes. It involves regular playing with other class members, weekly preparation and performance in class.

• Completion of Jazz Piano 4A is specified as an entry requirement
• Well-developed improvisation and coordination skills are expected
• Learners need time to practise and complete weekly assignments
• Music-reading ability and commitment to attend each week are required

Before you go

• Weekly homework includes assignments and preparing tunes for performance in class.
• Exploring Jazz Piano Vol. 2 by Tim Richards is recommended and can be obtained from music shops, the tutor or Morley Library.