The Jazz Improv classes will concentrate on the basic concepts for creating a melodic improvised solo over two style’s related to jazz music.

#1 blues and jazz blues forms, the key for the blues will be Bb, a super common key in jazz.

#2 “32 bar form” “American song book” style songs, i.e., Cole Porter, Gershwin, Duke Ellington.

Each class will concentrate on the basic harmonic and rhythmic requirements a player/student will need to successfully perform a confident sounding improvised solo.

Week 1 will break down the blues form using a melody from early Jazz styles. The student will learn how to use simple motifs to create coherent musical statements.

Week 2 will expand on the blues form exploring the chord extensions that are common in blues forms. We will use a melody form the Charlie Parker cannon, “Now’s the Time”.

Week 3 will tie the blues elements of week 1 and 2 with a Jazz Standard like “All of Me”, which is a common Jazz standard. The students will learn the melody, and learn how to use fragments of the melody in their improvised solo.

Week 4 will explain the scales and arpeggios that are commonly used in an improvised jazz solo. We will concentrate on 2 key, C and F Major.