Thursdays 6:30 - 8 pm | 04/02 – 05/21 (8 weeks)

Designed for musicians new to jazz improvisation, this class focuses on foundational tools for creating clear, musical solos. Students develop melodic ideas, explore rhythmic variation, and learn to navigate common chord progressions. Basic jazz harmony is introduced as a practical framework for understanding chord structures and harmonic movement.

Listening to recordings of great improvisers is an integral part of the course, with guided discussion around phrasing, articulation, time feel, and melodic shape. In class, students engage in ear training, call-and-response exercises, and structured improvisation over simple forms to build confidence and fluency. There is ample playing time each week.

This course provides strong preparation for participation in Jazzschool ensembles.

Suggested Prerequisites: Ability to play major scales in all keys