Jazz Essentials
Topic outline
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Welcome to the page for
Jazz Essentials
About Jazz Essentials:A strand of non-assessed study created for new students to the RNCM, to help them either get started on the road to jazz improvisation or otherwise deepen and nurture their existing jazz improvisation skills, structured to run over two years:Jazz Essentials 1 will be exclusively for any first year students and new postgrad students.Jazz Essentials 2 will be for (predominantly) second year students, plus students from years three and four, and postgrads. The intention is for JE2 to be a continuation and development from JE1.Students will have a one hour practical session each week, guided by Steve Berry (Jazz Essentials 1) and Iain Dixon (Jazz Essentials 2).To be involved, students need to sign up (see below) and commit to attending all sessions.For JE1, there are ten classes in Semester One and ten classes in Semester Two.For Autumn 2025, the regular day and time for these (one hour) classes is yet to be finalised.For JE2, there are ten classes in Semester One and ten classes in Semester Two.The regular day and time for these (one hour) classes in 2024-2025 was Tuesday, beginning at 5pm. This will hopefully be confirmed as the same again for Autumn 2025.Some resources:This page contains links to a few pieces of repertoire. Originally from the launch of this course in 2020, it's been left up here so that students may access it and try it out if they wish. Iain may (or may not) be using some of these pieces in the classes.
Please investigate the audio (mp3) files supplied further down the page.In each case there is a full performance example where the piece includes improvised solos.
In addition there is a 'play-along' version where the soloing section of the piece is left for the student to supply.This should help toward becoming familiar with the feel of performing it with a rhythm section (piano, bass and drums).
Rhythm section players can listen to these tracks and also play along. However, it is recommended that use of a practise app (the iReal Pro for instance) can offer some advantage, whereby the rhythm section player can mute out the virtual version of their instrument from the accompaniment and replace it with their own, actual playing.
Not ideal of course, the remaining two 'players' in the trio being midi-generated travesties of the real thing.
HTML files are supplied here too, in case anyone wants to open the piece up in the iReal Pro app.
Alternatively, there are real audio equivalents that can be found in the vast repertoire offered by the Jamey Aebersold recordings (available via http://www.jazzbooks.com/).Remember:Ultimately, these play-along practise aids are of some use, but always keep in mind that they can never supplant the experience of actually playing with other humans.In ensemble this music's soul and reward is only fully realised when there's conversational, interactive music-making, in the moment.The supplied recordings:Saxophone - Iain DixonPiano - Dan WhieldonBass - Steve BerryDrums - Josh SavageStudent commitment:It is important to invest time practising between classes in order to ensure progression for all concerned.(If a student doubts this commitment is possible, it's advisable not to sign up for this class).Important: Students will need to sign up if they wish to particpate. Regular attendance is vital to ensure progression. -
It's advisable to learn and play the melodies of these tunes by ear.
By all means compare and contrast with original recorded version(s), again by ear.
The chord sequences relate to the versions specially recorded for this class and are intended to help you follow the form and harmonic content as you improvise.
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