Beginning Instruments for Adults: Winds
This class will meet weekly on Sundays running September 20th - November 29th.
Music Reading & Theory 101 is led by acclaimed jazz educator and gender and racial equity advocate Kelly Clingan—notable for her successes at Washington Middle School and Seattle JazzED—this yearlong course (fall, winter, spring) provides a fun, group-setting opportunity to learn a new instrument.
Music Reading & Theory 101 is a 10 week course that helps musicians of all levels with establishing a base of music literacy proficiency. We will practice each concept on our instruments (including voice) and will learn practical strategies for continued success in music reading.
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The Basics: Staff, Clefs (treble & bass), Ledger Lines; Note Duration; Measures & Time Signature; Rest Duration; Dots & Ties; Steps (whole & half) & Accidentals
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Rhythm & Meter: Simple & Compound Meter; Odd Meter
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Scales & Key Signatures: The Major Scale; The Minor Scales (natural, harmonic, melodic); Scale Degrees; Key Signatures (circle of fifths, ordering accidentals)
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Intervals: Generic (measure on staff); Specific (measure with half steps)
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Chords: Triads (major, minor, diminished, augmented); Seventh Chords
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.