Our concept is to hold an annual retreat for aspiring jazz pianists supported by the online music education resources Andrea has developed over her extensive teaching career from beginners to post-graduate masters and .phd students at Trinity Laban. During the week there will be classes that cover many techniques and concepts of jazz piano in a variety of teaching methods. Expect PowerPoints, worksheets, listening, practicing and performing and learning in a group. There will be several aims or targets each day and opportunities to play with a bassist, drummer and singer. When you leave you can continue your studies using the resources provided both at the retreat and online. Look out for the resource links below.
RESOURCES = Andrea's Advanced Jazz Piano book at LuLu
The overall aim of the jazz piano course is to develop many of the skills needed to play jazz piano in a variety of ensembles. Whether it’s the full accompaniment needed for solo piano, the backing style accompaniment for a singer, an instrument in a duo setting, a piano trio where you need to be able to play the melody and chords and sustain a strong solo, or whether you’re just playing the harmony behind a melody and a soloist. All of these skills require different techniques and an understanding of the different challenges needed to fulfil that role. Part of the learning experience is listening not just to others but also to recordings and yourself.

Part of the day will be spent playing either as a solo pianist or with a bass and drums. Although performing is not compulsory it is one of the best ways we can learn how to improve and also share ideas. Performing is an important part of learning and can be a lot of fun. However, we recognise that for some people this is a new experience and you may lack confidence. Often it takes a bit of time, but I hope is that most of the students will quickly become confident playing in front of others as they become more comfortable in the class.

Day One - Sunday

Welcome meeting and introduction to the course. Learn a jazz standard and be able to play it solo piano and in a trio in just one morning.
Exploring the Blues, blues tunes, soloing and all the harmonic possibilities. RESOURCES = Andrea's Blues lessons on YouTube

Day Two - Monday

The Art of Accompanying

A day to work on accompaniment skills. After a general rhythmic workout the focus will be on rhythmic patterns in a variety of feels (swing, Latin, funk), voicings and textures. Using the recordings of the jazz greats (Mulgrew Miller, Herbie Hancock etc) for inspiration and authenticity. RESOURCES = Andrea's JazzSnippets on YouTube

Day Three - Tuesday

Improvisation

Looking at how to approach soloing and acquire bebop language. Analysis of a jazz standard, composing and playing your own contra fact (new tune on existing harmonic sequence). Transcription - How to transcribe and why it is a valuable resource for making solos sound more authentic. RESOURCES = Andrea's Standards lessons on YouTube

Day Four - Wednesday

Solo piano techniques

How to play a complete version of a tune with sophisticated harmony, a variety of textures and improvisation. Time to listen to recordings of examples of great solo piano (Cedar Walton, Hiromi etc) will be part of the days activities and be a source of inspiration. Piano jazz techniques will be explored and applied to repertoire to be practised and played.

Art of Accompanying 3 Playing with a singer- Jazz vocalist/pianist Paola Vera (vocal teacher at Trinity Laban and Brussels conservatoire ) will come in to sing and also discuss her piano techniques when self accompanying. RESOURCES = Andrea's "Advanced Jazz Piano" lessons on YouTube

Day Five - Thursday

Contemporary jazz piano

Modal jazz and music with non functional harmony requires a different approach to more traditional jazz standard repertoire. We will be looking at ways of playing modal chords and pentatonic patterns as well as looking at the modes to apply. Rhythmic work on odd time signatures such as 5/4 and 7/8 will be explored and further developed in repertoire with more complex time signatures. There will be a focus on music that reflects much of the themes of the day written and played by pianists such as McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, John Taylor, Andrea Vicari etc) through listening and playing repertoire.

Day Six - Friday

Looking at Free jazz within context of a contemporary tune.

The narrative in a solo and how to create shape, melodic cohesion and how to build to create excitement. Preparation for a short set of own choice music with the trio or solo. Evening concert