|
Why a Jazz Workshop?
Jazz is an aural tradition in which students learn best through listening and
imitating. By joining a small group of musicians together and practicing with a
pre-recorded professional rhythm section, students have the advantage of learning from
one another while benefiting from plenty of opportunities to try it for
themselves.
Sonya Jason provides valuable coaching along the way to help students
interpret music with a jazz style and create musically interesting solos with
confidence.
Who Can Play?
All woodwind and brass instrumentalists are welcomed in the Jazz Workshop.
As little as one year playing experience is all that is required to
participate. View Prerequisites
Musicians with advanced technique and some jazz experience are also
encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to further develop their
improvisational skills.
Workshops are organized in groups of two to six musicians according to age,
ability and musical experience.
When and where?
The Jazz Workshop meets for one hour, once a week at Sonya Jason's music
studio in Moss Beach, California, halfway between Pacifica and
Half Moon Bay (approximately 6 miles from either city). While most Workshops meet on Tuesday
afternoons, exact days and times will be determined according to availability
once groups are established.
What will I learn?
JAZZ WORKSHOP Part 1 - Soloing in the Groove
begins with rock style songs, which provide a familiar feel for students new
to jazz and include simple two-chord progressions to solo over. While playing
along with the pre-recorded rhythm section, musicians begin learning to
improvise using just one easy chord scale. A new confidence with soloing emerges!
Next, the ensemble learns to swing and interpret jazz rhythms and phrasing,
and to improvise using the blues scale. View Prerequisites
JAZZ WORKSHOP Part 2 - Swinging the Blues
further develops the skills acquired in Part 1 with more challenging swing
rhythms and faster tempos. The twelve-bar blues chord progression is studied in
depth, and becomes a familiar form for soloing. More helpful tips are
provided to improve jazz phrasing and to expand rhythmic and melodic ideas while
improvising. Musicians gain a new creative freedom!
JAZZ WORKSHOP Advanced Improvisation
is perfect for musicians with advanced technique on their instrument, good
sight-reading skills, and some experience with jazz. This is a jam session
designed to inspire more expressive and creative soloing by trading musical ideas
with others. First, a review of the blues; then classic jazz standards by
Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and others is used as
source material as musicians become comfortable with more complex chord changes.
How much?
Call for the current rates for a twelve-week session. All books and
materials are included. (Students must provide their own instruments.) The total fee is due
two weeks before the session begins.
When does it start?
Four 12-Week Sessions per year are offered - Spring Session, Summer Session, Fall Session and Winter Session. Call to find out the exact schedule.
How do I sign up?
Call Sonya Jason at (650) 728-8002 today to reserve your space in the next
Jazz Workshop.
|
"It's exciting to have students study with a jazz professional, someone who
performs jazz and improvises on a daily basis as a career. Sonya Jason's
relaxed but professional manner makes the Jazz Workshop a comfortable and fun
setting to explore improvisational ideas."
|
| -- Maria Portello-Swagel, Band Director, Cunha Intermediate School, Half Moon Bay CA |
|
"The Jazz Workshop is a blast! It's great playing with other musicians, and Sonya is there every step of
the way encouraging you and showing you tips that the pros use."
|
| -- Alan, tenor saxophone, age 46 |
|
"Sonya is an amazing teacher who taught me more about Jazz in one summer than some schools can in two years. I started when I was young, and now I've improved so much thanks to her."
|
| -- Zach, alto saxophone, age 15 |
|
"In the Jazz Workshop I most enjoy improvising and learning to build a good solo. I
recommend it to anyone who wants to play with others at your own skill
level and be taught by a professional. It is extremely fun."
|
| -- Tommy, alto saxophone, age 14 |
|
"Everyone should come and play in the Jazz Workshop because what you
learn with Sonya is so much more than how to play jazz. It's something
that connects your soul and heart to jazz. This is something I know
will be with me for a very, very long time."
|
| -- Gabi, tenor saxophone, age 15 |
|
"The Jazz Workshop is my musical lifeline. It provides the incentive for pursuing further studies in jazz."
|
| -- Selit, alto saxophone, age 51 |
|
"A great way to experience improvisation in a group setting. Way better than playing on your own!
Jazz Workshop Tuesdays are my favorite nights of the week!"
|
| -- Len, tenor saxophone, age 50 |
|
"Jazz Workshop is a great introduction to jazz chords, scales and common
rhythms. Even after you've learned something you can just keep on going and
going as high as the sky because you're being taught by a real pro!"
|
| -- Tohma, flute, age 12 |
|
"The Jazz Workshop is fun because we get a chance to express ourselves in our
solos. I've learned a lot about jazz and soloing and about playing some
different styles of music."
|
| -- Scott, trumpet, age 12 |
|
"It's fun to improvise because you can do your own thing instead of playing
what other people have written. I recommend it 'cause it's a great learning
experience."
|
| -- Kyle, clarinet, age 13 |
|
"I had a wonderful time playing with other people in Jazz Workshop. I
learned a lot about improvisation which was fun for me."
|
| -- Marc, alto saxophone, age 53 |
|
"I love learning improv because I get to play what I feel. It's really fun
to play with other kids and hear what a small group sounds like together."
|
| -- Sabina, alto saxophone, age 12 |
|
"In Jazz Workshop I've learned a lot about using scales to improvise and I
got really good at that. The hardest thing is learning to solo using chord
tones. I'd definitely recommend it because I've learned a lot and I enjoy it."
|
| -- Miriam, clarinet, age 12 |
Top
|
