Teacher
Schedule & Fee
Enrolment
'Jazz is a mental attitude rather than a style. It uses a certain process of the mind expressed spontaneously through some musical instrument. I'm concerned with retaining that process.'
– Bill Evans
Taking place in the New School’s digital piano lab, this hands-on course is designed to give classical piano students of at least intermediate level (Grade V or equivalent) a solid foundation in jazz piano. The course will cover rhythmic, melodic and harmonic terminology and will provide some basic approaches to improvisation in the genre, including:
- Formation of chords
- Some common chord progressions
- Melodic variation and improvisation
- How to accompany and play with a group
- Voicing technique (solo and ensemble)
- Aural training, intervals and chord recognition
Students will also work on another essential aspect of jazz – timing and ‘feel’ – that can best be developed in a group setting, by playing with and against each other. Finally, they will learn from the masters by listening to recordings of great pianists in different settings, from solo piano to sextet, and will be given specific practice exercises to develop their understanding and technique at home.
For the last two classes, students will have the opportunity to apply their skills by working with a professional jazz bassist and jazz drummer.
For any piano student who has ever wanted to find out what jazz is all about, this is an ideal introduction to the form.
Jazz Piano Basics is one of our group courses. Private lessons in jazz piano are also available. See Departments & Faculty - Piano & Keyboard for more information.
Back to top
So-Young Yoon, Teacher
'Having had only "classical" training in the past, I have learned so much from this class. So-Young's approach to teaching jazz is both friendly and effective.'
– B. Moran
So-Young Yoon was born in Seoul, Korea. She was classically trained from the age of five and won several local and national competitions. She also studied jazz piano at the Seoul Jazz Academy, a sister school of Boston's Berklee College of Music. Since moving to Ireland in 2003, So-Young has performed with numerous ensembles in all of Dublin's main jazz venues, and in 2007 formed her own quartet, for which she has been composing original music. In 2008, she acquired a First in the BA in Jazz Performance degree course at Newpark Music Centre, where she studied with leading pianist Phil Ware and composer Ronan Guilfoyle. So-Young teaches piano and jazz piano at the New School.
Listen to So-Young on her MySpace page.
Back to top
2013-2014 First Term Schedule & Fee
Schedule to be confirmed.
Tuition Fee: €190
Back to top
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed enrolment form and full payment of tuition fees. (Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a 2013-2014 General Enrolment Form.) Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Early enrolment is recommended, as places are limited to eight students.
Purchasing this course as a gift? Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Back to top