CONCEPT
The summer school aims to provide an intimate environment for
practical music making and education in the jazz genre. Improvisation,
jazz harmony, an exploration of various jazz idioms, and group
performance will be the main areas covered. At the end of the
week there will be the opportunity to perform to a live audience
from the local community. We provide course materials in the
form of a Dordogne Jazz Summer School course-work book and a
download of musical examples.
LOCALITY
The main concept behind the Dordogne Jazz Summer School is to
combine the fun of a jazz course with a sun packed holiday.
The area is of outstanding natural beauty with excellent local
wine and cuisine at affordable prices. We strongly recommend
that you don't miss out on at a least a little exploration of
the region. Check out our links
page for some ideas. Or download the pdf guide Things
to do in Lot produced by local resident and DJSS enthusiast
Gus Hunnybun.
LEVEL
WEEK ONE - INCLUSIVE WEEK
A basic ability to play one's instrument is required and music
reading would be helpful but not essential. The styles of jazz
will include standards, bebop, modal, latin and contemporary.
We divide the tutor groups into six levels according to ability
initially according to what you write on the booking form.
WEEK TWO - INTENSIVE WEEK
No beginners please. No Vocalists. You need to have been on
the first week or a similar course before, or have a good grounding
in the basics from another source. Please give details of your
training and experience when applying. Places will be limited
so priority will be given to people who book for both weeks
and to more advanced players - and of course those who book
early. We will contact applicants offering them a place if we
think they will benefit from this initiative. Others will be
put on a waiting list.
VOCAL TUITION
We don't really have a vocal tutor but we can recommend the
excellent voice course in the Loire. www.loiremusic.co.uk
This is run by friends of ours who are all excellent musicians
and is designed to cater to the specific needs of vocal artists.
The course leader is a guy called Tristan Mailliot and this
is the email info@loiremusic.co.uk
When vocalists do come on our course they do so as "instrumentalists"
and learn about improvisation, harmony and repertoire etc. just
like any other instrument. So if you want mainly voice coaching
try the Loire. If you want to work in the context of a jazz
small group then our course might work for you
INDIVIDUAL TUITION
Tuition on individual instruments will be limited by pressure
of time. It's only a week's course. There will however be the
opportunity for students to attend master-classes by a guest
tutor and to receive tuition in small groups on their own instrument.
SAMPLE DAY - WEEK ONE
10.00 Improvisation workshop
e.g. The 'Blues'.
Learning of the blues scale and it's relationship to the pentatonic
family of scales; the blues chord sequence; blues harmonies
and their wider use in jazz; chord make-up & voicings; swing
rhythm vs. 'straight eights' (rock rhythm); and listening and
analyzing blues performances from famous jazz artists.
11.30 Coffee break
12.00 Group music making/small
bands. This will involve putting into practice concepts
studied that morning. e.g. Learning some blues tunes, rehearsing
the numbers, constructive criticism of improvisation and the
ensemble. Studying the role of each instrument within the particular
style.
1.00 Lunch in the Chateau
de Monteton restaurant
2.30
Different each day
Previous years have included activities such as MASTER CLASSES
/ BIG BAND / SALSA BAND / SOUL BAND / MINGUS BAND / SUPER
SAX /MONK BAND etc. example:
MASTER CLASSES Saxophone
Masterclass led by Mark Lockheart
A performance of some well known standards by the tutors'
band with particular emphasis on the role of the saxophonist
in jazz. Areas covered will include how harmony and melody
are best interpreted on the instrument; improvisation, scales
and patterns. Practical issues will also be covered such as
breathing, embouchure, intonation and creating a good tone.
All students will be encouraged to attend and ask questions.
Particularly confident saxophone students will be invited
to play with the tutors.
4.00 Free Time Left open for
individuals to choose their own pursuits. These could include
individual practice time; extra tuition in the areas covered
that day; small group rehearsals for the evenings jam; classes
in particular areas requested by students, or simply enjoying
the area and relaxing in the swimming pool.
6.00
Aperitif Jam
An informal session in which students can try out what they've
learned (and maybe teach us a thing or two !) in a relaxed 'Jazz
Club' atmosphere accompanied by fine wines of the region. Music
will be drawn mainly from the standard jazz repertoire. This
is also a chance for students to suggest music they would like
to play, and for tutors to learn the strengths and weaknesses
of course members in order to better structure lessons to their
needs.
7.00 Tutor led performances
Each tutor leads their workshop group in performing the pieces
they've learned that day.
8.00-9.30
Dinner in the Chateau de Monteton restaurant or terrace.
Often accompanied by tutor performances , dinner jazz sets and
enthusiastic students who just can't stop playing !
9.30 - ? Late night jam session
Play all night (if you like) in the Cave . In past years students
jammed far into the early hours with short breaks for drinks
in the bar and a quick game of "Kinito", the local
dice game. This session is unsupervised and students take resposibility
for organising their own bands and music. NB the "Cave"
where the jam sessions will be held is in the basement of a
different tower to the sleeping accommodation, (and behind several
feet of mediaeval masonry), so those students wanting an early
night will be free to do so undisturbed.
