This page is devoted to the Level 2 classes being offered at 10 and 1:30. To find links to other time periods or classes at other levels, please see the Schedule Overview page.
Jump to: Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday
Sami Arefin — Chase Parlor
Rhythm Fundamentals (‘Blues Clair’)
Rhythm fundamentals with a focus on the twelve bar blues ‘Blues Clair’.
Christine Tassan — Chase Study
I Can’t Give you Anything but Love – Working on Swing Rhythm
Review of “la pompe” and different ways of playing swing rhythms.
Chord variations, creation of intros and endings.
Brad Brose — Chase 102
Intros & Outros
How to make intros and arrangements on the fly
Denis Chang — Chase Dining Room
Intro to Rhythm Guitar
For those who have had little access to a teacher(s) and who need some guidance on how to get started. There are many ways to play rhythm and it can get confusing when every teacher starts saying that their way is the right way. Well guess what? My way is the right way because I don’t say there’s a right way!
Russell Welch — Chase Living Room
“Magic Chords”
Connecting shapes, mindful turnaround moves, thoughtful movement in rhythm
Sami Arefin — Chase Parlor
Learn Part of a Classic Django Solo! (‘Blues Clair’)
Learn Django’s first two choruses over the 12 bar blues ‘Blues Clair’.
Christine Tassan — Chase Study
‘I Can’t Give you Anything but Love’ – Song in a Major Key
Analysis of chord changes; work on major 2-5-1; licks, arpeggios, major scale.
Brad Brose — Chase 102
Intro to Chord Melodies
This class will serve as an introduction to playing chord melodies (i.e. playing chords and the meldoy at the same time).
Denis Chang — Chase Dining Room
Intro to ‘All of Me’
How to get started soloing on ‘All of Me’. Time permitting, we can also explore other songs. In my lead classes, we will look at both standard vocabulary as well as concepts.
Russell Welch — Chase Living Room
Planned Improvisation
Using simple structures to create more melodic and engaging solos. Simple isn’t easy!
Julien Cattiaux — Mendenhall Studio 2
Routine for Working “La Pompe”
In this class, we will look at different ways to make the rhythm happen.
Sami Arefin — Chase Parlor
More Rhythm Fundamentals & Tricks For Simplifying Tunes (‘I Love You’)
We will continue to work on rhythm fundamentals, as well as learning some devices for simplifying more challenging tunes, with a focus on ‘I Love You’.
Christine Tassan — Chase Study
‘Bossa Dorado’, ‘Troublant Boléro’ – Working on Other 4/4 rhythm: bossa, boléro
Bossa rhythm, boléro rhythm; metronome use; Chord variations, creation of intro and ending.
Brad Brose — Chase 102
Simple Embellishments
This session will focus on simple embellishments and ways to spice up your rhythm playing.
Denis Chang — Chase/Duckett Dining Room (Enter off Elm St)
Non-Swing Rhythms
In modern Gypsy Jazz, we play a lot of different styles that are not related to swing such as the Gypsy bossa, waltzes, rumba, bolero, etc. I will share with you what I know about these rhythms.
Russell Welch — Chase Living Room
Playing “Good Time”, Not “Perfect Time”
What’s the difference? Come find out!
Sami Arefin — Chase Parlor
How to Bring a Melody to Life
Learn how to bring a melody to life using Hubert Rostaing’s clarinet melody on the tune ‘I Love You’ as inspiration.
Christine Tassan — Chase Study
‘Swing 48’, ‘Minor Blues’, ‘Bossa Dorado’ – Songs in a Minor Key
Analysis of chord changes; work on minor 2-5-1; licks, arpeggios, harmonic and melodic
minor scales.
Brad Brose — Chase 102
Using Substitutions & Extensions
In this class we will explore how to use substitutions and extensions to color our solos
Denis Chang — Chase/Duckett Dining Room (Enter off Elm St)
Intro to ‘Djangology’
How to get started soloing on ‘Djangology’. Time permitting, we can also explore other songs. In my lead classes, we will look at both standard vocabulary as well as concepts.
Russell Welch — Chase Living Room
Free Skate
Students ask anything they would like to learn more about in a group setting. Then group jam while everyone gets a one-on-one private lesson.
Julien Cattiaux — Mendenhall Studio 2
Working on typical Manouche Chords
In this class, I will show you chord shapes and patterns over the tunes ‘Minor Swing’ and ‘Coquette’ that you can reuse and apply to all sorts of other songs.
Sami Arefin — Chase Parlor
Walking Bass Line Rhythm (‘Swing 48’)
In this class we will learn how to employ walking bass line rhythms over the tune ‘Swing 48’.
Christine Tassan — Chase Study
La partida, Indifférence – Exploring the Waltz
Waltz “pompe”; variations; bass progression, chord variations, creation of intros and endings.
Brad Brose — Chase 102
Comping à la Django
Django style comping/ lead-rhythm playing
Denis Chang — Chase/Duckett Dining Room (Enter off Elm St)
Stylistic Interpretation
More of a philosophical class. When I play rhythm I don’t always play the same way depending on the situation. I don’t always use the same chord shapes either. I talk about how I change how I play and show you various fun chord shapes and chord movements.
Russell Welch — Chase Living Room
Free Skate
All questions about time and rhythm. Open jam and one-on-one lessons.
Sami Arefin — Chase Parlor
How to Organize a Solo (‘Swing 48’)
In this class we will learn how to organize a solo, using the minor blues tune ‘Swing 48’
Christine Tassan — Chase Study
“La partida” – Exploring the Waltz
Playing the melody, analysis of chord changes; improvising through the progression.
Brad Brose — Chase 102
Making Django Lines
Add the Django accent to your phrases
Denis Chang — Chase/Duckett Dining Room (Enter off Elm St)
‘Minor Swing’ and Beyond
How to get started soloing on ‘Minor Swing’. Time permitting, we can also explore other songs. In my lead classes, we will look at both standard vocabulary as well as concepts. ‘Minor Swing’ has more soloing options than one might think!
Russell Welch — Chase Living Room
Free Skate
Students ask anything they would like to learn more about in a group setting. Then group jam while everyone gets a one-on-one private lesson.
Julien Cattiaux — Mendenhall Studio 2
Working on different Manouche Rhythms
In this class, we will work on different rhythmic styles like, Bossa, Rumba, Bolero and Funk.
Sami Arefin — Chase Parlor
Ballad Rhythm (‘Manoir de mes Rêves’)
In this class we will learn some ballad rhythm techniques with a focus on the tune ‘Manoir de mes Rêves’.
Christine Tassan — Chase Study
Tears – Exploring Chord Melody
Swing rhythm on ballads; chord variations, study of chord melody (playing the chords and melody at the same time).
Denis Chang — Chase/Duckett Dining Room (Enter off Elm St)
Intro to Rhythm Guitar
NOTE: this is a repeat of Wednesday’s class for those who didn’t have an opportunity to attend. For those who have had little access to a teacher(s) and who need some guidance on how to get started. There are many ways to play rhythm and it can get confusing when every teacher starts saying that their way is the right way. Well guess what? My way is the right way because I don’t say there’s a right way!
Russell Welch — Chase Living Room
Advanced Rhythm Moves
How to support the soloist. When to play simple, and why that is the best.
Sami Arefin — Chase Parlor
Chord Melody (‘Manoir de mes Rêves’)
In this class we will learn a chord melody arrangement for the tune ‘Manoir de mes Rêves’.
Christine Tassan — Chase Study
Effects and Tricks Used in Gypsy Jazz
Study of some of these effects and tricks that Django uses in his solos, and that you can apply right away in your own solos (octaves, chromatic effects, open strings effect etc…)
Denis Chang — Chase/Duckett Dining Room (Enter off Elm St)
Intro to ‘I Can’t Give You Anything but Love’
How to get started soloing. Time permitting, we can also explore other songs. In my lead classes, we will look at both standard vocabulary as well as concepts. Minor Swing has more soloing options than one might think!
Russell Welch — Chase Living Room
New Orleans!
How to apply traditional Django-style language to other music. Explore the difference between Django-style and Traditional New Orleans Music. Play like a horn!
Julien Cattiaux — Mendenhall Studio 2
Review and Q&A
We will review some of what we have been covering throughout the work, and we will open the class up for questions, particularly from students who were not able to attend my previous classes.