Monday and Wednesday every week

Jazz Online Practice Sessions

Welcome to my sessions!
In these sessions I sit at the keyboard and sing and play my way through warm-up, ear-training and jazz theory exercises then work on a tune.
This might sound advanced and a bit dry, but although anyone can join in on any instrument I am approaching the sessions as though teaching vocalists who have learned mainly through listening to their favourite singers and using that as a way in.
In these sessions, I introduce things like how to listen to the baseline and allow it to help you know where you are in the song while improvising. 
How to recognise common chord progressions like II V I’s.
How to use your ear to make it easier to sing over complicated chords – eg sing all on one note and only change it when the dissonance is too much to bear!
 
The sessions are fun and feedback is welcomed.
For people who would like to share their singing, they can join our Soundtrap community (please donate minimum of £10 for a year-long contribution to our costs). Just email us to ask to join. 
 
NOTES:
To use Soundtrap usefully you need a computer or iPad/tablet, Google Chrome and headphones, and if possible a USB keyboard, though you can also input midi stuff using the onboard keys or your computer keyboard. You don’t need to get the software as it is in the cloud and you can work collaboratively almost in real time with the BlueJam tutors or each other.

Scores and mp3s

NB Please try our Lockdown Jazz Video series for further singing ideas. We’ve had really good feedback so far – more feedback welcomed plus ideas for further videos.

Week Nine: Night and Day by Cole Porter (email if you want Eb and Bb copies)

Week Eight: Darn That Dream by Van Heusen, De Lange 1939

Week Seven: Lester Leaps In; Lester Young

Week Six: Stormy Weather: Koehler and Arlen

Don’t know why
There’s no sun up in the sky
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain’t together
Keeps raining all of the time

Life is bare
Gloom and misery everywhere
Stormy weather
Just can’t get my poor self together
I’m weary all of the time

When he went away
The blues walked in and met me
If he stays away
Old rocking chair will get me
All I do is pray
The Lord above will let me
Walk in the sun once more
can’t go on
Everything I had is gone
Stormy Weather
Just can’t get my poor self together
Keeps raining all the time

Week Five: Lullaby, Jilly Jarman. (download whole song)

 

Week Four Equinox: John Coltrane Words: Sheila Jordan

Week Three Bud’s Bubble: Bud Powell

Week Two Four On Six: Wes Montgomery

Week One: Green Dolphin Street: Kaper/Washington