Durham Jazz Workshop Online Courses
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. I'll provide background and we'll listen to selected performances of various guitarists.Each week we'll meet online for 75 minutes. 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). Headphones or good speakers are recommended for listening. The Class will meet for 5 weeks on Wednesdays from 7-8:15pm beginning November 25. Class size will remain small to allow for discussion. All ages welcome. The class fee is $160.
Jazz Appreciation - Brandon Mitchell
In this course, students will learn about the fundamental elements of music through the jazz idiom. This knowledge will be used to examine historical periods, composers/performers and stylistic elements of jazz music. By the end of course, students will have a better understanding of what you are hearing on the recordings and at Sharp Nine Concerts ! This class will meet on Zoom for 5 weeks beginning Monday, November 16 at 7pm. The class fee is $125.
Jazz Fundamentals III - Lines - Dave Finucane
In Fundamentals III, we will explore “line” playing. Through a series of exercises, students will learn how to create scaler “lines” that mesh with chord progressions. Students will learn how to manage chord tone placement by utilizing compositional devices like chromatic passing tones, enclosures, neighbor notes and anticipations to build “stronger” lines. The class will also analyze some solo transcriptions by Hank Mobley, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Parker and more. Students will compose ii V I’s as well as write “lines” over blues, standards and circle of 4ths. Students will be asked to record their work on a simple voice memos app and submit the audio as well as pdf copies for review and comments. Periodically the class will meet collectively to discuss work, but mostly students will work independently throughout the course. The class will meet for 6 weeks beginning the week of November 16. The class fee is $250. *** since the 6th week includes Christmas, I'll extend the class through Dec. 30 for students who need the prior week off.
Group Jazz Guitar: Harmony - Scott Sawyer
Working with Voicings and Voice-Leading
Fluency in comping leads to deeper improvising. We'll explore various approaches to comping and working with the harmony.
• each student will focus on one or two tunes (tbd)
• 1-on-1 sessions are personalized, not 'cookie cutter'.
• we'll discuss chord construction (triad, shell, 7th, extended/altered chords) pertaining to the tunes we are working on.
• I'll demonstrate musical approaches to practicing. No 'empty scale exercises'!
• I'll suggest recording assignments to be submitted for written or video comments.
Zoom capabilities are necessary for the course (computer or tablet recommended).
The class will meet for 5 weeks on Tuesdays at 7pm beginning November 17. 3 weeks will be collective meetings (7-8:30pm) The other two will be shorter individual meetings from 7-9pm. Maximum 5 students. All ages welcome. The class fee is $210.
In the Zone: Define Your Voice - (Intermediate to Advanced), Scott Sawyer
Exploring the art of Improvisation via writing
Writing can be viewed as improvising slowed down to a dead stop. Everything comes from an idea; we'll take some small ideas and develop them.
Fundamentals discussed:
• Circle of 4th's
• Understanding triads, 7th and 9th chords
• Working with guide tones, chord and neighbor tones
• Turnarounds
• Modal vamps
Assignments:
Record one daily 2 minute "free" improvisation
Aurally transcribe a solo or melody from a tune of your choosing
Working with material from your transcription on changes to a tune, turnarounds and vamps
(solo or using background tracks I provide)
Writing a tune or contrafact
Zoom capabilities are necessary for the course (computer or tablet recommended).
The class will meet for 5 weeks on Mondays at 7pm beginning November 23. The class will meet collectively 3 times. On the off weeks, I'll provide 1 on 1 feedback between 7 - 8:30pm via Zoom, phone or email. Maximum
5 students, all ages welcome. The class fee is $ 210
Drum Set Skills - Dan Davis
Improve your drum set skills over the holidays with a course designed specifically for you. Dan Davis will be leading a four week course that includes a weekly group zoom meeting as well as a weekly private lesson. Topics to be discussed include style analysis (jazz, latin, funk), listening skills development, technique and interdependence fundamentals, drumming history and whatever else that interests us ! The weekly private lesson will be customized to meet the needs of each individual. The course begins the week of November 30 and will end before Christmas Eve. 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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