THE DORDOGNE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SUMMER SCHOOL 2010
  COURSE CONTENT
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.
SHUFFLE BOIL
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.
lunch
info@jazzschool-dordogne.co.uk  +44 20 8764 6478