Giant Steps Improvisation Weekends: Eligibility

The course is open to most instruments and players, including voice, brass and woodwind, however organisers will generally award places based on the following criteria:

Instrument limitations

Bass / Drums Maximum of two places each
Keyboards Maximum of four places available
Guitar Maximum of four places available

We have unlimited (up to a total of 20) places available for saxophone, trombone, trumpet, flute, and clarinet players.

Once your place has been booked and paid for, it’s yours and other applicants for your instrument will be wait-listed.

Ability

You must be able to play your instrument! This is intended to rule-out complete beginners. For example wind players should be able to play most major and minor scales; pianists and guitarists should be able to play a major and minor scale, as well as maj, min and 7th chords.

Theory & Reading

Ability to read music and knowledge of music theory is NOT a pre-requisite.

Jazz

This is a jazz course, so it's assumed that it's jazz that you want to play material by such artists as:

  • Duke Ellington
  • Charlie Parker
  • Miles Davis
  • Tom Jobim (aka Antonio Carlos)

Your fellow attendees

Most people on the course will have been playing for several years, and are now ready to take giant steps forward in their knowledge and playing ability. They may be returning to an instrument after a period or feel stuck in a musical rut. They may be ‘bedroom players’, play regularly, or even semi-professionally and are looking to broaden their range and knowledge. If you are unsure if the course is right for you, please contact us.

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Currently Booking

Jazz Courses

Improvisation Weekends

7-9 October 2011
24-26 February 2012
10-13 April 2012

Missenden Abbey, Bucks

Mark Bassey