Welcome to ‘Jazz Beginnings’  – the Ideal Introduction to Jazz and Thank-you for registering

Jazz Beginnings Welcome [codepeople-html5-media-player id=35]

The series can be used by anyone with a basic knowledge of music and a basic instrumental technique.

This complete learning programme is divided into three parts.

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Simply return to the ‘home’ screen using the home button at the top left of your screen, then Log-Out using the “Log-out” button on the right hand column of the home screen.

PART 1  – Jazz Rhythms

This first section deals with the reading and playing of jazz rhythms and gives clear examples of the

difference between how jazz looks on manuscript and how jazz sounds. Using the Blues scale, the

player then applies the rhythms to the 12 bar blues and is launched into jazz improvisation.

Click HERE to proceed to Jazz Rhythms

PART 2  – Jazz Harmony

This section describes the four main seventh chords, their construction and the way they are connected

through guide tones. A few jazz and baroque ‘licks’ are mixed together to show that the building

blocks of classical and jazz composers are exactly the same.

Click HERE to proceed to Jazz Harmony

PART 3  – Chord Sequence

This third section consists of eight chord sequences in graded steps: three 12 bar blues, three ‘I Got Rhythm’

chord changes and two original compositions, completing a unique package.

Click HERE to proceed to Chord Sequence

This learning programme is aimed at showing you how to play jazz.

In order to achieve this you need three requirements:

(1) a reasonable instrumental technique

(2) a basic knowledge of music theory

(3) one set of ears separated by an enquiring mind

If you have been studying music for a few years, you should have Nos. 1 and 2 but the third is by

far the most important quality for playing jazz. Even if you feel that you may lack a natural skill for

improvisation, skill can be developed with practice. This programme sets out to stimulate the parts

of your brain which have yet to see action in improvised music.

Our end product then, is to produce a ‘chorus’ (ie an improvisation over a chord sequence) which

‘swings’. To create this instant melody you must first of all be secure in jazz rhythm and harmony.

Enjoy the Jazz Beginnings Series!