Jazz Piano Intermediate Term 2

About this course

This second-term course develops jazz piano playing through a mixture of explanation, listening and regular performance practice. Participants study jazz standards in styles including swing, Latin, blues, modal, funk and ballad, while working on seventh chords, chord symbols, voicings, scales and functional harmony. Class activities include rhythmic, technical and chordal exercises, ear training and improvisation using left-hand accompaniment. Learners take turns playing tunes, follow chord charts, practise II–V–I sequences and explore ways to accompany others with bass lines and chords. Digital pianos are provided for individual playing, with acoustic pianos available for duets.

What you'll learn

• Play melodies from a selection of standard jazz tunes
• Improvise while supplying left-hand accompaniment
• Accompany other players with bass lines and chords
• Follow chord charts and apply jazz chord symbols
• Use seventh chords, chord voicings and selected scales in jazz playing

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for piano players who already have jazz experience and can work at an intermediate level. Learners are expected to participate in weekly playing activities, perform tunes in class and prepare assignments between sessions.

• Previous jazz experience is required
• Knowledge of major scales in all keys is expected
• Familiarity with basic triad and seventh-chord symbols is required
• Music reading and regular practice between classes are expected

Before you go

• Weekly homework includes assignments and preparation of tunes for class performance.
• The recommended text is Exploring Jazz Piano Vol. 1 by Tim Richards.
• Each student has access to a digital piano in the keyboard room.