Department of Jazz Studies
If you choose to specialise in jazz studies, your Principal
Study options include saxophone, voice, trumpet, flute, guitar,
piano, bass, drum-kit, and other instruments by negotiation. Our
aim is to equip you with performance and improvisation skills
across a wide range of styles within the jazz idiom.
In one-to-one lessons, you will concentrate on the development
of a secure instrumental technique and explore specialist areas
such as chord voicing and line-construction. You will develop
professional skills and musical confidence through participation in
technical skills classes, repertoire classes, free improvisation
classes, specialist projects, masterclasses, workshops and
concerts.
In performance-based group classes, ‘Jazz Styles’, you will
focus on time-feel, style, interaction, communication and
performance techniques. Your critical understanding of
jazz-specific issues will be developed through ‘Jazz Chat’, a
listening and discussion group based on the analysis and
transcription of recorded material.
You will attend jazz-specific classes in history, aural
training, harmony, melody and instrumentation and you will be able
to select from a range of specialist project options.
You will have opportunities to practice within a variety of
group situations to help you develop effective communication and
interaction skills, and performance opportunities with the
College’s Jazz Ensemble and Big Band, and with numerous smaller
student-led groups. The Brecon Jazz Festival, the UK’s leading
showcase for international jazz musicians, provides further
performance opportunities.
We encourage you to broaden your musical and performance
potential by working with other departments within the College.
These activities help you to break down musical barriers, giving
you greater freedom in the development of your individual style and
increasing your career opportunities.