Jazz Guitar 2B

In each term you will learn a selection of more advanced jazz standards in a variety of styles (swing, Latin, blues, modal, funk, ballad, etc), leading towards a group performance at the end of term; the end of the summer term will culminate with a jazz guitar concert with a professional rhythm section. Using the tunes as a framework we will look at the following fundamental topics: - Deepening our melody playing, looking at phrasing, feel, expression and improvising with the melody. - More advanced Jazz harmonic building blocks and accessing them on the guitar with voicings, understanding how to create and adapt them - further expanding fretboard knowledge - More advanced scales and arpeggios needed for jazz improvisation and accessing them on the guitar - further expanding fretboard knowledge - Turning theory into music using a variety of improvisation tools and techniques - Diving deeper into ‘comping approaches and feels, developing sophisticated ‘comping skills, including chord melody. - Approaches to transcription and developing ear-to-instrument relationship You will meet other guitarists and be part of a community of other jazz guitar students. Gain confidence playing with others in different roles, eg melody, comping, baseline, soloist, by being part of the class jazz guitar ensemble. Each term will build on the fundamental skills we are developing and dive deeper into a variety of different topics. The classes are tailored round students and content/repertoire requests are accommodated where possible.

Clear practice tasks will be given every week and students must be prepared to spend time working on the assignments and preparing the repertoire for class. Frequent listening to jazz recordings will increase your knowledge and appreciation of the repertoire and of important jazz guitarists.

You will need to bring your guitar and lead to lessons. Amps will be provided if/when needed. Manuscript paper, notebook and writing materials.

Join one of our Jazz Guitar 2B or 2C courses