Jazz Improvisation for Improvers

Trombone player and tutor Chris Pyne is here to demystify the wonderful world of jazz improvisation in this informal and welcoming short course. Whether you’ve tried improvisation before or you’re a complete beginner, if you’ve ever wondered how jazz bands play together so effortlessly, this is for you. Chris will take you through the popular jazz standards that improvisation is built upon in a relaxed and supportive group setting. Open to most instruments, you’ll learn several jazz tunes which can be interpreted and improvised in various ways and play through them together as a band. We’ll look at chord structures and learn how to choose which notes and scales will sound good in improvised solos. We’ll also look at structuring our solos, giving them a deeper musicality, focusing on melodic and rhythmic development.

By the end of the course you will: Play through a range of popular jazz tunes and make them your own with helpful tips and tricks for improvisation. Feel confident and empowered to play jazz solos in a variety of styles. Meet other musicians in a friendly and relaxed group setting. Know the underlying harmonic structures and chord progressions that are key to jazz improvisation and learn how to interpret these chords to play musically over them.

You’ll be playing together with fellow musicians in a group setting, but there will be time for individual practice too.

Beginners and improvers of jazz improvisation. Grade 4 or 5 playing level in your instrument is recommended.