Songwriting
In this course students explore melody writing, basic harmony (as well as some more adventurous chord progressions), discuss song form and rhyme schemes, and cultivate the instrumental component of songwriting all with the purpose of homing in on each student’s unique songwriting voice. Every week there are in-class and at-home composition and listening exercises and students begin the daily practices of “morning pages” and melody/harmony transcription. Most importantly, students develop two or three songs over the course of the ten weeks, to be presented and workshopped in class.

Saturdays 11:45 am – 1:15 pm
10 weeks (1/14 – 3/17)
rachel efron $365

Jazz Composition
This course provides a broad overview of composition techniques for aspiring jazz composers. Students gain experience working with many common jazz song forms, studying various exemplars and composing in class and at home each week. Topics covered include composing over blues, rhythm changes, standard song forms, setting text to music, modal composition, odd meters, various grooves from Africa, Brazil, Cuba, free and open form composition, and more. For all musicians.

Suggested prerequisites: knowledge of jazz harmony.

Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm
10 weeks (1/12 – 3/15)
art lande $365

RELATED WORKSHOPS

Reharmonization of Jazz Standards
Sunday January 22, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
mark levine

Michele Rosewoman Composition Workshop
Sunday January 29, 1 – 4 pm
michele rosewoman

What Makes a Great Jazz Arrangement?
Sunday March 4, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
mark levine