Enthusiastic support from Chris Symer along with detailed feedback and careful instruction about how to progress. Also a nice survey of essential approaches to walking bass lines coupled with many recordings of great players using the approaches. I also enjoyed the other student's input and support.
Chris Symer is great!! Not very constructive I know but I've got 0 complaints
I really enjoy working with Chris Symer and think my playing has improved greatly under his guidance, especially because he emphasizes simplicity and pulse.
Chris Symer is a fantastic instructor who provides value feedback and the immediate opportunity to apply the feedback as he keeps the focus on playing as much as we possibly can in the class period.
Of the many things I like about Chris as a teacher is that he says positive things. Not the fuzzy, baseless kind, but specific things he liked about each of our playing. He sounds like he means it, and actually enjoyed hearing whatever it was we were doing. This was so helpful. It makes playing easier because it predisposes you to believe Chris is not sitting there suffering, but actually listening for what is interesting.
I very much appreciate Chris’s approach to teaching and coaching us. I felt like he cared for us as people as much as he cared for our musical competence. He's smart and funny and perceptive and almost every class was primarily playing music with brief comments between efforts.
Chris is a top-level instructor. With lots of experience and capabilities he brings a lot of good things to the course. Lots of good advice. Lots of technical skills. And a lot of positive energy and encouragement.
Combo Level 3
Veteran Jazz Night School instructor and Seattle jazz mainstay Chris Symer leads this level 3 combo. Bringing with him decades of experience playing in some of the world's greatest rhythm sections, Chris focuses heavily on listening. Emphasis is placed on developing a unique sound as an ensemble, advanced improvisation techniques using complex harmony and 8th note lines, complex rhythmic structures and grooves, and furthering exposure to the jazz tradition. Music is selected by the instructor with input from students and tends to be drawn from the standard jazz canon.
Homework: Homework is comprised of playing assignments based on the combo music and individual needs.
Student Requirements: Punctual attendance and desire to learn and improve. Students supply their instruments.
Important Note Regarding Combo Placement: Jazz Night School is dedicated to finding the best learning experience for everyone involved. Some of the criteria we consider in determining combo placements include: matching ability levels within groups, compatibility of individuals in the groups (students and instructors), allowing the highest number of students to participate, student availability, and date of registration. Despite our best efforts, there is always a chance that an individual may not be able to be placed in a combo.
This is a 10 week course meeting in person once a week for 90 minutes.
Skills assessment or previous enrollment in the same level combo is required.
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.Â
All Jazz Night School policies must be adhered to for enrollment, policies can be found here.