Choosing an Adult Jazz Class

A Quick Guide to Every Skill Level

You’re here because you want to join an adult jazz class in New York City. Before we go any further, we want to tell you that you’re ready. If you’re exploring our bebop and Brazilian ensembles or our improv and blues groups, you have what it takes to be a New York Jazz Workshop student. We’ve created a wide range of classes designed for every skill level. If you’re new to your instrument and only know some basics, we have entry level jazz ensembles for you. If you’re a hobbyist looking to level up, you can join a class with a group of passionate players who want to do the same. Or if you want to sharpen your skills in a new genre, we have experienced instructors ready to share their knowledge.

As you continue your search for the class that speaks to you, remember that New York Jazz Workshop wants to make sure you’re in a setting where you can thrive. We ask that you take some time to do a quick self-assessment of your abilities. We’re always available to guide you toward the best class if you have additional questions. We also offer all adult jazz class students the opportunity to do a trial. Just pay a one-time $35 fee, and join a class to see what it’s like. No strings attached.

Not sure if you’re a beginner, an intermediate player, or ready to take that next step to an advanced class? Here’s a level-by-level breakdown for our weekly workshops in midtown Manhattan, so you can get a quick sense for where you fit:

Recommended years of experience at your instrument: 0-5

Jazz is for everyone, and so is New York Jazz Workshop. One of our main priorities is for students to not feel intimidated about learning jazz in a group setting. That’s why our beginner level classes are created to be communal, welcoming, and accepting. They’re designed to give you the foundation you need to form a deeper connection with your instrument.

Ask yourself these questions to see if you’re a match for beginner level classes:

1. Do I know some rudimentary jazz terminology, forms, and techniques (trading fours, head, AABA)?
2. Do I know some jazz standards/songs related to the class I’m interested in?
3. Can I comfortably play my instrument?
4. Can I play in a group setting?
5. Can I tolerate making mistakes?

If you answered yes to these, you’re perfect for a beginner jazz class. Our Intro to Improv class, which meets every Saturday at 4:00pm, is a great place to start. It’s a welcoming and non-judgmental environment for musicians who have no jazz experience to begin their improvisational journey. Twice a year, students even get the opportunity to perform their new skills at a showcase hosted in a prestigious Manhattan jazz club like Smalls.

Recommended years of experience at your instrument: 5-10

This is an exciting stage in your jazz development. You’re right between learning the essential building blocks, and being able to truly speak with your instrument. Keep in mind that the intermediate level is the most flexible. If you’re at this level you could fit into classes that include techniques and students that are either at the high end of beginner or the low end of advanced.

Ask yourself these questions to see if you’re a match for an intermediate jazz class:

1. Can I improvise in a jazz ensemble?
2. Do I have a good sense of time?
3. Can I read a chart or a lead sheet with little effort?
4. Do I know some jazz standards/songs related to the class I’m interested in?
5. Have I taken lessons for my instrument (in the past or presently)?

If you answered yes to these, you’re a fit for an intermediate level class. Check out our Bebop Ensemble class, which meets on Wednesdays at 6:00pm and is led by acclaimed bassist Sean Conly. You’ll learn about the specific concepts of bebop, as well as the importance of the sound and interplay of a band, all while playing classic swinging tunes made famous by influential jazz greats.

Advanced

Recommended years of experience at your instrument: 10+

These classes are for the players who have put in their time in the shed, been on the bandstands, and can make an old standard feel like something new and exciting. Advanced classes cover topics like improvisation, Brazilian jazz, and bebop classics, as well as a deeper look at harmony and melody.

Ask yourself these questions to see if you’re a match for an advanced jazz class:

• Do I have experience playing jazz in groups, at jam sessions, or in other educational settings?
• Do I have experience playing a variety of jazz genres?
• Do I have a strong sense of time and command of my instrument?
• Can I read a chart or a lead sheet and play in different time signatures?
• Can I play a tune someone calls in the moment?

If you answered yes, you’re an advanced player. Explore our Jazz Improvisation 3 workshop. Led by our co-founder and accomplished saxophonist Marc Mommaas, this class meets every Saturday at 12:00pm to dive deep into advanced rhythms, melodies, and techniques while fostering a stronger connection to jazz and improvisation.

We hope you’ll refer back to these questions as you continue to learn jazz, grow as a player, and consider new classes at New York Jazz Workshop. Don’t forget about our $35 trial offer. It’s a great way to check out a few different classes before choosing the one that works best for you.

Every adult jazz class is 2 hours and meets once a week at our midtown Manhattan location, 265 West 37th Street on the 10th floor, Suite #1004 (on the corner of 37th St and 8th Ave).

You can find more information about our rates, discounts, and semester schedules here. You can also find a list of all of our weekly workshops here. If you have any other questions about choosing the best adult jazz class for your skill level, please email us at info@newyorkjazzworkshop.com anytime.

You’re ready. You have what it takes. See you in class.