HOW DO YOU USE THE GROUP LESSON FORMAT TO TEACH JAZZ TO KEYBOARD STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED LEVEL?

The small group format works quite well for students who’ve had a bit of exposure to jazz, blues, and seventh chords. I encourage students to think of the materials they’re learning as helping them learn extended harmony and jazz styles, and also improving their overall performance skills. What are some good ways to frame these materials?

Have you ever thought of playing jazz as a journey of sorts? What types of harmonic pathways might one take? If a performer is secure in their knowledge of music harmony, and knows what "makes sense" from chord to chord, they are certainly more secure performers in many different types of musical styles. Familiarity breeds confidence!