DORDOGNE JAZZ COURSE  
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.
QC
LEVEL
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.
 

TRUMPET
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 group on their own instrument,
 
The main concept behind the Dordogne Jazz Summer School is to combine the fun of  the 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 do not miss out on at a least a little exploration of the region. Check out our  links page for some ideas. Or download this pdf guide Things to do in Lot
  
SAMPLE DAY  
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.
GIG
The last night concert from 2001
 
  11.30 Coffee break.  

SAXMEN

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.

MASTER CLASSES
e.g. Saxophone Masterclass led by Mornington Lockett
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.

SAXOTENOR
 

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 group in performing the pieces they've learned that day.
 

8.00-9.30 Dinner in the Chateau de Monteton restaurant or terrace

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.

 JAMMING
 

STUDENTS
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.
Andrea Vicari with some of the students at the 2001 Dordogne Jazz Summer School .
 
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