Overview
Since its inception in the early 20th century in the United States, jazz has become a principal means of achieving freedom of expression in music. Improvisational techniques from jazz’s rich harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary are an essential aspect of realising this freedom. Tarek Yamani seeks to impart his expertise in this field through this short course, allowing musicians to bring a sense of self to their practice and actualise their understanding of music.
Depending on the needs of the participants, the content of this short course will range from fundamental jazz vocabulary to advanced tools that can be used by musicians to understand concepts in jazz, such as improvising melodies, the harmonic logic behind chord progressions and the rhythmic codes that create the sense of swing found in all African-influenced music, including khaleeji, popular music from the Gulf.
The course will seek to engage participants through exercises and presentations, which will include live demonstrations by Yamani as well as examples from audio recordings. The participants will be invited to apply the different concepts within an interactive atmosphere to understand them better and develop freedom and creativity within their musical practice.
Course Outline
Insight into the Rhythmic Structure of Jazz
Wednesday. 30 October 2019
7:00 pm–10:00 pm
• Science of interval ratios and the rhythmical origins of harmony
• Rhythmic codes of jazz, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music, phrasing, odd meters, subdivisions and groupings
• Exercises that enhance rhythmic awareness and limb independence
Insight into Jazz Harmony
Thursday, 31 October 2019
7:00 pm– 10:00 pm
• Harmonic relationships and techniques used in improvisation
• Improvisation on a jazz standard using chord symbols
• Techniques such as playing scales and identifying patterns as well as ear training and phrasing exercises for mastering improvisation
The Art of Ensemble Playing
Friday, 1 November 2019
2:00 pm–5:00 pm
• Interplay between musicians and the art of group improvisation
• Examples of the art of accompaniment (‘comping’) from jazz legends
• Applications of all the course content (with the opportunity for hands-on practice)
Participants are encouraged to bring their own instruments.
Registration
To register, please e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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Tarek Yamani: The Afro-Tarab Pairings Project
Composer and musician Tarek Yamani will perform The Afro-Tarab Pairings Project, a solo piano performance in which each tarab/Arabic-influenced piece is paired with an African American/jazz-influenced piece.
Yamani, Tarek
Pianist Tarek Yamani has dedicated himself to exploring relationships between African American jazz and classical Arabic music.