JAZZ PIANO COURSE

February 24 to November 20, 2025

INTRODUCTION TO JAZZ PIANO STUDIES

Certainly! Jazz piano plays a crucial role in the world of music, and its significance extends beyond the keyboard. Let’s explore why jazz piano is so important:

1. Integral to Jazz Idiom:

Jazz piano has been an integral part of the jazz genre since its inception. Pianists contribute both in solo performances and ensemble settings.
The piano’s combined melodic and harmonic capabilities make it a versatile tool for jazz musicians and composers. Regardless of their primary instrument, they often turn to the piano for teaching, learning jazz theory, and arranging music ¹.

2. Unique Capabilities:

The piano is unique among musical instruments because it can simultaneously play both melody and harmony. This dual role allows it to serve as either an accompanying instrument or a lead instrument.
Jazz composers and bandleaders have long relied on the piano due to its ability to provide a syncopated chordal underpinning while other lead instruments take the main melody or solo. When needed, the pianist steps forward to shine in the spotlight ².

3. Technique and Improvisation:

Learning jazz piano involves mastering various chord voicings, from simple to advanced. Pianists use chords found in Western art music, including major, minor, augmented, diminished, and more.
Swing rhythm and “feel” are essential skills. Jazz pianists omit the roots from keyboard voicings, leaving that task to the double bass player.
Chord “extensions” (e.g., adding the ninth, eleventh, or thirteenth scale degree) enhance harmonic richness.
Improvisation is a hallmark of jazz piano. Pianists use scales, modes, and arpeggios associated with the chords in a tune’s progression. The approach to improvising has evolved over time, adapting to different jazz eras ¹.

4. Historical Significance:

Jazz music matters because it is charged with social and political energies. It is a central part of twentieth-century American history.
The piano played a pivotal role during the jazz age, contributing to the vibrant sounds of the Roaring Twenties and beyond ³.

Assignments

1. Introduction to Jazz Theory

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of jazz theory. Students will learn about the harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic idioms. The material covered will give students a grasp on how to approach understanding Jazz.

Course Objectives

Understand the basic principles of jazz harmony.
Explore the melodic characteristics of jazz music.
Explore rhythmic characteristics of jazz. Swing, syncopation, feel, etc.
Analyze jazz standards and compositions to identify common harmonic and melodic structures.
Apply concepts learned in class to musical situations through improvisation and composition exercises.

2. Jazz History

3. Jazz Improvisation

4. Jazz Piano and Repertoire

Requirements

Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills

Completion of Intermediate Keyboard or equivalent knowledge and experience is required. You should be able to read notes in bass and treble clef and understand basic rhythmic notation; have a basic knowledge of music theory, including major scales, triads, and basic seventh chords; and be able to record your performances with provided play-along tracks.

Cost

NON CREDITS: $10,000.00

instructors

Henry Chavez

Jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Pianist for the Towson Jazz Orchestra as well as other Baltimore based Jazz big bands and groups. Mainly plays with his jazz trio called “Henry’s trio” in the DMV area. He also has experience playing in gospel, CCM, and modern day church music.

Fayber S Rodriguez

Studies

University of Maryland, Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland

Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition December 2022

Montgomery College Rockville, MD

Certificate: Jazz Studies Dec. 2016

Teaching Skills

Native Spanish speaker and fluent in English
Experienced with children with learning disabilities such as autism spectrum and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Worked with individuals ranging from 5 years old up to 55 years old
Taught students both in Spanish and English
Directed individual and group classes of up to 20 people

Music Skills

Performing skills on electric and classical guitar, bass guitar
Jazz Performance and Theory
Proficient in Finale, Logic Pro, Protools

Ensemble Experience

MCC: Jazz Ensemble—Big band electric guitar
World Music Ensemble—classical guitar for Latin music
UMBC—New Music Ensemble on classical guitar