Durham Jazz Workshop Online Courses
Beginning Music Theory - Billie Feather
Utilizing the Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory: A Complete Self-Study Course for All Musicians, Billie Feather guides students through the fundamentals of music theory. The course meets on Zoom for one hour weekly for 6 weeks. A part II class will be offered next session. It's recommended that students have a keyboard or piano, but no experience is required to take the class. This class could appeal to “ear” based players wanting to learn how to read music or Sharp Nine concertgoers interested in learning a bit more about how music works. All ages welcome. Students need to purchase the book either from the publisher or Amazon. The Class meets Wednesday's 7-8pm for 6 weeks beginning September 16. Class fee is $120
A Personal History of Blues to Jazz Guitar - Scott Sawyer
a look at some of the guitarists who've sparked my ongoing love affair with music
The Blues were my first musical obsession and the roots run deep; eventually they led me to Jazz.
Michael Bloomfield, Jimi Hendrix, BB King, T-Bone Walker, Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, Wes
Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Pat Martino, Jim Hall, John Abercrombie, Pat Metheny,
John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Kurt Rosenwinkel; these are a few of the guitarists that have inspired me
through the years.
Each week we'll meet online for 75 minutes. I'll provide background and we'll listen to selected
performances of various guitarists. There will be time for discussion at the end of each listening
session. Playlists of featured artists are included, and for those wanting to dig deeper, more info will
be provided upon request.
Zoom capabilities are necessary for the course (computer or tablet recommended).
The Class will meet for 4 weeks on Wednesdays from 6:45-8pm beginning September 23. Class size
will remain small to allow for discussion. All ages welcome. The class fee is $175.
Comparing Notes: On Musical Creativity - Kenneth Stewart & Scott Sawyer
Exploring the intersection of improvisation and composition collaboratively.
This course explores the boundary between improvisation and composition. Each class is centered on the tactics, strategies and “ingredients” of music creation. Each concept is presented and debated in-turn between Sawyer and Stewart. Each will unpack their interpretation of the topic at hand and provide helpful solutions to these problems. Discussion will follow and the topics are as follows:
If in creation one defines the rules, then what constitutes a right or wrong decision? This is a close look at how one overcomes the “tyranny of choice” of forming original musical ideas. What are ways ideas are developed into viable material? How do you balance unity alongside variety? How to beg, borrow and steal properly? How does one incorporate outside influences into one’s own creative practice? How can one better and more efficiently present this newly formed material to others? How can this original material leave the notebook and enter the world? The format of the course is one 1-hour meeting per week a total of four times in the session. During each 1-hour class, Stewart and Sawyer will address the topic from differing points of view. Handouts will be provided on the topics and there will be ample response time in the rest of the class for discussion and questions.
Anyone enrolled in the course will have access to the handouts, videos lectures and/or other prepared materials. These materials will continue to be available to the students after the course. Attendance is limited to 10 or fewer. Zoom capabilities are necessary for this course (computer or tablet recommended)
The class will meet for 4 weeks on Thursday's from 8:15-9:15pm, beginning September 24. The class fee is $132
The debate is the result and the process is the destination.
Group Jazz Guitar - Scott Sawyer
• Students will listen to and discuss selected performances.
• 1-on-1 sessions are personalized, not 'cookie cutter'.
• Students will learn 2 songs (one standard, one 'rhythm changes').
• Students will transcribe. If new at it, Scott will guide you.
• Harmonic analysis of tunes the class is working on.
• Scott will demonstrate musical approaches to practicing. No 'empty scale exercises'!
• Students will be given assignments to be recorded and emailed for written or video comments.
• The focus is on our EARS.
Zoom capabilities are necessary for the course (computer or tablet recommended).
The class will meet for 4 weeks on Thursdays from 7-8pm beginning September 24. In addition, Scott will meet with
students 1-on-1 for 15 minutes, to answer questions and help you organize your practicing. Maximum
5 students, all ages welcome. The class fee is $180
Jazz Styles and Analysis - Dan Davis
This 4 week series will explore the fundamental elements of jazz music ranging from early jazz through the swing era. Topics will include song form, melody and harmony, instrumentation, instrument roles within the ensemble, rhythm section analysis, improvisation, and historical perspective. The class is led by Dan Davis and is designed to enhance the enjoyment of jazz by expanding listening skills. It will meet every Tuesday evening starting September 22nd from 7-8 p.m. via Zoom for 4 weeks. A follow-up class pertaining to Bebop and Beyond is planned for later this fall. The class fee is $100.
Getting in the Zone - Scott Sawyer (Adult)
Exploring the art of Improvisation (All Instruments)
An understanding of how music works is important, but we become better improvisers by
strengthening our EARS. Each week students will do some group listening, discuss a basic concept or two that
we can build on, and have time for Q&A.
Approaches and assignments will include:
• Learning 2 tunes (one 'rhythm changes' and tbd)
• Exploring the Circle of 4th's, turnarounds and modal vamps
• Understanding triads, 7th and 9th chords
• Working with guide tones
• Transcribing (ear)
• Improvising (solo, or utilizing backing tracks or loops that I provide)
• Two-minute Improvisations
Zoom capabilities are necessary for the course (computer or tablet recommended).
The class will meet for 4 weeks on Tuesdays from 7-8pm beginning September 22. In addition, each week Scott will meet with students 1-on-1 for 15 minutes, to answer questions and help you organize your practicing. Maximum
5 students, all ages welcome. The class fee is $ 180
*** We understand how some students may be affected financially due to the virus. The DJW can offer financial support for anyone needing it, so let us know. We don’t want to turn anyone away from classes because of money.
Dave Finucane
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Scott Sawyer
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Dan Davis
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Billie Feather
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