Jazz Piano Basics
A Group Course for
Intermediate Students
Next course starts 1 October 2025.
‘An excellent introduction to jazz and improvised music-making. The teacher is not only a great jazz musician but a supportive and inspiring educator.’
– E. Grennan
‘Having had only “classical” training in the past, I have learned so much from this course. The approach to teaching jazz is both friendly and effective.’
– B. Moran
Course Description
Taking place in Waltons New School of Music’s Digital Piano Lab and taught by a renowned jazz pianist and educator, Jazz Piano Basics is a hands-on course designed to provide piano students of at least intermediate level (Grade 5 or equivalent) with a solid foundation in jazz piano. The course – the only one of its kind in Ireland – explores the unique rhythmic, melodic and harmonic aspects of jazz music in a group setting and provides some of the essential elements of playing in the genre, including:
- Formation of chords and common chord progressions
- Understanding and memorising ‘charts’ for standard jazz tunes
- Improvisation – both melodic variation and soloing
- How to accompany and play with a group
- Voicing techniques
- Aural training, intervals and chord recognition
In addition, students will work on another important aspect of jazz – timing and ‘feel’ – that can best be developed both by listening to and playing with each other in pairs, as a group and with other musicians. The distinction between practising improvised music and playing improvised music will also be discussed, as will the influence of the blues. Students also will learn from the masters by listening to recordings of great pianists in different settings.
To develop their understanding and technique at home, students will be given access, through Google Classroom, to videos, audio files and specific practice exercises developed especially for this course. Finally, for the last class, students will have the opportunity to apply their skills in an ensemble context by working with a professional jazz bassist and jazz drummer. Students will also have the opportunity to further develop their jazz skills through continuation courses following on from this one.
For any piano student who has ever wanted to find out what jazz is all about, this is an ideal introduction to the form.
Participating students should be able to sight read intermediate level pieces reasonably well and have a working knowledge of scales and chords, but no previous knowledge of jazz is required for the course.
Jazz Piano Improvers
Participants who have completed the Jazz Piano Basics course can continue their exploration of jazz and improvised music making with our 10-week Jazz Piano Improvers course, taking place on the same day as Jazz Piano Basics, or with private jazz piano lessons at the New School. (See the Course Schedules & Fee tab for more information on Jazz Piano Improvers.)
Enrol in this course.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Jazz Piano Basics is one of the New School’s group courses. We also offer private jazz piano lessons and lessons in a range of other genres for students of all ages and skill levels. See our Piano • Keyboard Tuition page for more information.
Techniques Covered
A video demonstration of some techniques covered in the course:
Mark Flynn
Mark’s passion for music began at a young age, picking up guitar at the age of 11 and beginning piano, jazz piano and music theory lessons in his early teens at the County Wexford School of Music with Dr. Patrick Molitor. He then went on to pursue his jazz piano studies at Newpark Music Centre, where he received BA in Jazz Performance. Mark thrived in the programme, as it allowed him to explore and perform in a range of different compositional styles and approaches, under the guidance of the renowned jazz pianists Phil Ware and Greg Felton. During his time there, he also began performing and recording with many of Dublin’s top jazz musicians, as well as attending workshops, masterclasses and lessons with David Liebman, Joshua Redman, Bill Carrothers and Kit Downes. Mark continued his music studies with a Masters degree in Creative Music Composition at Maynooth University, and he was fortunate to have some of his compositions played in a number of locations worldwide, including at the SoundThought festival of music and sound research in Glasgow. He has performed in a wide of venues and contexts, including RTÉ, the National Concert Hall and Áras an Uachtaráin, as well as in London, Copenhagen and Prague. Mark is a committed teacher and loves to see his students enjoying themselves as they develop and progress.
‘My aim as a music teacher is to guide students and create an enjoyable environment for them to learn in, to understand what their goals and interests are and to help them achieve these, all while ensuring a solid foundation in music theory and instrumental techniques. I encourage students not only to focus on technique but also to explore different genres and styles and to listen and read about the music they like. I consider myself fortunate to be in a position to share the knowledge and experience I’ve gained, and delivering it in a friendly, supportive manner is at the forefront of my teaching practice.’
Reviews • Testimonials
‘A great way to immerse yourself in a different musical world.’
– N. Collet
‘An exceptional teacher. As a former classical piano teacher to diploma level, I can safely say this is the best teacher I have come across and I consider myself very fortunate to have done so.’
– J. Dunne
‘Great foundation for a jazz beginner. The teacher has a very positive, open and encouraging approach.’
– S. Malin
‘An excellent introduction to jazz piano and improvisation. Playing with other jazz musicians at the end was a great experience!’
– C. O’Brien
Have you taken – or are you taking – this course? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about it.
2025-2026 First Term
Course Schedules & Fee
Jazz Piano Basics
10 weeks, 1 October – 10 December 2025
(No class on 29 October – Mid-Term Break)
Wednesdays 6.30 – 7.30 pm
Course Type: In-School
Jazz Piano Improvers
Not offered in the First Term.
Tuition Fee: €270
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the course fee. Places in each course are limited to eight and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. A number of our group courses fill in advance of their start dates, and early enrolment is recommended.
Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Jazz Piano on YouTube
‘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
‘Get up from that piano. You hurtin’ its feelings.’
– Jelly Roll Morton