Beginning Instruments for Adults: Piano
This class will meet weekly on Saturdays running January 10th - March 14th. This class does not perform.
Beginning Instruments for Adults: Piano is led by acclaimed jazz educator, composer, and early jazz expert Alex Guilbert—this multi-quarter course provides a fun, group-setting opportunity to learn a new instrument, with an emphasis on improvisation, blues, and group playing.
Students require NO previous experience to fully participate in learning. As with all Jazz Night School courses, this class will use a listen-first approach, adding theory when appropriate, and always rooted in jazz music. We will be improvising and playing songs before you know it!
This course DOES NOT require a new student skills assessment.
Learning Goals: Students will build fundamental piano technique, develop an understanding of the blues, basic improvisation, and basic jazz piano textures like comping, playing melodies, and playing basslines.
Advancement: Students who attend class and practice regularly may be ready to enter Jazz Night School beginning combos after one year of this Beginning Instruments study.
Course Content: This course will cover everything needed to get a solid foundation in jazz piano. Posture and hand positioning will be the first material covered. Notes, chords, rhythms, and musical concepts will be introduced as the class progresses. Focus is on playing together and making music rather than reading music. Expect to play a lot and learn with a like-minded group of adults who are all here to have fun and make music.
Homework: Homework is comprised of playing assignments based on the class studies and individual needs.
This course has no prerequisites. It is open to absolute beginners, both in music generally, and in the specific instrument you are learning.
Beginning, intermediate, or advanced
Jazz Night School is a vibrant and welcoming community-based nonprofit music education program that is home to hundreds of like-minded learners. Our school offers great opportunities to meet other dedicated jazz students and artists. Whatever your skill level, we have a place for you.
Schedule a skills assessment
We strongly encourage all new students to schedule a complimentary skills assessment so we can help you figure out the best place to start.
What is it like to learn with us?
As a student at Jazz Night School, you'll be part of a friendly, supportive community that shares a love and deep appreciation for jazz music in all its various forms. Your development as a musician is our primary educational goal. Whatever your skill level, our program can help you improve your musicianship and discover your own unique musical voice. For new students, we provide a complimentary introductory session that includes a skills assessment. This session gives you a chance to share your goals and interests and helps us point you to the most appropriate offerings. Each quarter we offer a wide variety of classes and workshops on improvisation, harmony, ear-training, and specialized topics. Our online classes feature lots of discussion and opportunity for questions and answers. There are no grades at Jazz Night School; rather, instructors give each student individual feedback on an ongoing basis. Everyone's effort is valued. When public health restrictions are relaxed, we will return to offering group ensemble opportunities that culminate in a short performance at a local nightclub. This is a fun-filled evening where friends and family come to applaud student efforts and cheer them on to new heights of musical expression!
We understand that most of our students have important life commitments such as work and family. There may be days that you have to deal with a sick child or a pressing work deadline and you aren't able to put in as much practice time as you would have liked. We get it. Our goal is to support your musical aspirations at whatever pace you are able to sustain at this time in your life.
Instructors
Jazz Night School instructors are some of the finest musicians and educators in Seattle’s vibrant jazz community. Some have learned their art through old school traditions and others have studied at premier institutions such as Berklee College of Music, Eastman, Indiana University, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, and University of Miami.
All Jazz Night School policies must be adhered to for enrollment, policies can be found here.