Yamaha Education News
Yamaha Jazz Experience Workshop, British Academy of New Music, East London
Pictured: Jazz educator Richard Michael leading a rhythm session, supported by some stunning piano accompaniments from jazz legend, Julian Joseph, Yamaha Jazz Experience workshop, British Academy of New Music, East London, 21 March 2009
When Yamaha put jazz legend Julian Joseph and the inspirational music educator Richard Michael together to bring its Jazz Experience workshop programme to London, it looked good on paper; the reality was even better still!
The aim of the workshop series is to promote improvisation and jazz in schools and launch the Yamaha Jazz Experience project. The deal is that you form and rehearse a jazz ensemble before sending a video of it to the judges. The prizes of gigs at Ronnie Scott's and the 606 club as well as playing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival in 2010 are simply too good to pass up, even if you have no prior experience of jazz.
Three things struck home in the workshop:
1. The key to encouraging improvisation is to start simply: restrict choices, for example just use a pentatonic or blues scale and a simple harmonic progression, like a 12-bar blues sequence
2. Make it clear that it is cool to make mistakes, just as long as you are taking part
3. Enthusiasm is vital
Richard's enthusiasm for music and jazz is infectious. He worked the room with ceaseless energy whilst calling on the considerable skill of Julian Joseph on the piano (and at one point drum kit). From active warm-ups to a smattering of theory, vocal improvisation and a host of examples and anecdotes, the Richard and Julian show was a superb window into the Yamaha Jazz Experience project.
Within two days of the workshop both I and my colleague, David, were back in the classroom, but between lessons we are now talking about music, jazz and pieces we want to play. We tried a simple jam session and I even tried one of the moments of 'Michael madness' (it should be trade-marked) as a warm-up for one of my trickier Year 9 groups. It worked and my spontaneity surprised them and me!
The last words perhaps should go to Richard whose mantra of 'mistakes are cool' is a good place to start for improvisation.
by Phillip Tedd, Teacher i/c Music/Music technology, The Misbourne School, Great Missenden, Bucks
Teachers who want to join the project (free of charge) can find out more about the workshops (March - April 09) and the competition phase of the project from Yamaha's teaching website, Yamaha Education Friends.
(ends)
(Posted 24/3/09)