Jazz Piano Basics
A Group Course for
Intermediate Students
Next course starts 30 September 2026.
‘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.
Enrol in this course.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Other Tuition
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:
Patrick Connolly
Not only an accomplished pianist but a guitar, bass and banjo player as well, Patrick started learning piano at an early age but first realised his passion for music after being enrolled in a piano summer camp in Toronto, Canada. Although he was born in Dublin, he spent twelve years of his life in Canada, from the ages of 7 to 19. Later in his stint in Canada, Patrick was accepted into Humber College’s Bachelor of Music programme on an entrance scholarship, and he spent a year there studying under Canada’s premier jazz musicians. Returning to Ireland, Patrick enrolled in Dublin City University’s BA in Jazz and Contemporary Performance programme. With the guidance of his teachers and mentors Scott Flanagan and Greg Felton, Patrick explored his own sound and approach to improvisation and jazz, as well as excelling in ensemble settings as an arranger. Since then, he has performed in a range of venues, both in Canada and Ireland, ranging from intimate clubs to the National Concert Hall. Patrick is currently active as both a gigging musician and a music teacher. In the latter capacity, he has taught students of all ages, working in a wide range of genres and styles.
‘Throughout my journey in music, I have had several great teachers from all sorts of backgrounds, each of whom influenced not only my playing but my teaching style as well. I do my best to incorporate the best things I learned from them into my own approach to teaching. I believe that even the most basic grasp of melody, harmony and sight reading provides developing pianists with the means to communicate their ideas effectively. It is up to the musician to dive deeper and up to the teacher to provide all the tools needed to do so.’
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.
2026-2027 First Term
Course Schedules & Fee
Jazz Piano Basics
10 weeks, 30 September – 9 December 2026
(No class on 28 October – Mid-Term Break)
Wednesdays 7.30 – 8.30 pm
Tuition Fee: €270
Jazz Piano Improvers
Not offered in our First Term.
Please contact us if you would like to be put on the waiting list of a fully booked course or emailed when the next term’s course becomes available.
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