Participants arrive on Sunday afternoon, and after dinner, Richard will lead a warm up and introductory session for everyone. From Monday-Thursday participants will attend three morning and two afternoon sessions each day, with the following timetable.
9.30-10.15 Warm up: Richard and the band get us off to a fantastic start each day, warming up with a selection of hits old and new. You can expect some unusual takes on well known tunes, and there will be plenty of ways to join in!
10.15-11.15 Masterclasses: Participants split into instrument specific groups and work closely with their specialist tutor. This might involve instrumental technique, practice tips, theory work or tune learning.
You will have the chance to ask the experts how they make it look so easy.
11.45-1.00 Anatomy of a Solo: Based on Richard’s acclaimed Radio Scotland series, Richard and the tutors will take us through a famous jazz recording that has been painstakingly transcribed . Listening to this music played up close and personal is not to be missed – and you will learn how to make your own solos sparkle. Previous artists covered include Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Hank Mobley, Johnny Hodges.
2.00-3.15 Combos: You will be put into a combo suited to your experience level and assigned a tutor. These groups are your chance to put it all into practice and work on arrangements, bandcraft, soloing, comping and performance skills. At the end of the week, all the combos perform in our informal concert, to which friends and family members are warmly invited.
3.45-5.00 Own choice: Each day’s final session is up to you. You can play in our excellent Big Band led by Eliot, sing in the Jazz Choir with Debra in Strathallan’s beautiful chapel, work on your solos with Mario and Tom or develop your transcription skills with Hilary.
After dinner, participants are strongly encouraged to make use of the rooms to play together in jam sessions. Tutors are not involved here and all rooms are open to anyone. You can find some friends to play with, move from room to room until you find the one for you, or even just sit and listen. The friendly atmosphere of the course allows you to try things out at your own pace and pick up tips from other participants, young and old. Jam session rooms are available 7.00-9.30pm.