Practical workshops/ensembles
Overview
Practical workshops run as ensembles and are limited to 7 people. There is usually one space for a bassist and drummer in each group and up to 2 spaces for piano, guitar and front-line instruments (including saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, flute, trombone and other instruments), depending on who joins each term. There is now a women’s-only group as well so leave a comment with your enquiry if you'd like to join this.
There are several ensembles available and they are curated so as to ensure you are playing with people of a similar level. During the term, we explore a range of repertoire, styles and improvisation methods, and end the term with a gig where each band performs a set.
Who can join?
The ensembles are designed as a way into developing your jazz improvisation on an instrument that you already play. They are not suitable if you are a beginner on your instrument as you will need a foundation of technical proficiency to navigate improvisations and chord changes. However, it is quite hard to be specific on paper, so usually we have a chat on the phone about your experience. Just get in touch if you’re not sure!
It is possible to join with very limited knowledge of jazz harmony and theory but if this is the case, you might be encouraged to attend the theory course! Usually, participants have done a little jazz but are at the stage of wanting to play more with other people and get to grips with improvisation. We place everyone in appropriate groups as far as possible.
When?
The ensembles run for approximately 10 weeks per term, usually mid-week in the evening.
Where?
Courses currently take place at Brighton Electric and in Worthing at Audio Active. Venues are subject to change on a termly basis.
How much?
The practical workshop costs between £175 and £225 per person, per term, depending on your situation. This includes all resources, tuition and the end-of-term performance opportunity. Fees are subject to change and are confirmed before each course.
Theory courses
Overview
The theory course covers the essential components of jazz harmony and theory, with the goal of making lead sheets and scored jazz music more comprehensible and helping you to get to grips with the language and terminology around this genre of music. It covers scale and mode theory, understanding chord symbols and extensions, tune analysis and more.
Who can join?
Similarly to the practical workshops, if you are a beginner to music theory, then this is not for you. It is designed for people with some general music theory knowledge who want to explore the specifics of jazz theory. The prerequisite for this course is that you have a basic understanding/awareness of general music theory, i.e. key signatures, circle of 5ths, major and minor scales. If you’re not sure if it’s right for you, just enquire and we can have a chat.
When?
This varies per term but usually it’s held on a Saturday morning.
Where?
Currently the theory course is held at Brighton Electric.
How much?
Please enquire
1-1 tuition
1-1 tuition is great way to get professional guidance that is tailored to your stage of learning.
As well as running The Jazz Workshop, Arabella teaches saxophone to an advanced level, having studied at Birmingham Conservatoire and at The University for Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria. She is a compassionate and intelligent teacher with 20 years’ experience in performance and education.
If you’d like instrumental lessons for any other instrument, we can connect you to tutors for bass, drums, flute, clarinet, piano and guitar. We are fortunate in the South East of England to have incredible professional musicians who perform and teach locally and internationally. Just use the contact form to ask for information.