With MILES OKAZAKI:
This course is a survey of the fundamentals of musical rhythm and time. It serves to strengthen and test rhythmic foundations for advanced students, and to build basic musicianship for less advanced students.
Primary questions that the course will explore are: what is time? How do we perceive the passage of time? How does the quantizing and marking of time become “rhythm”? How does “rhythm” become “music?” We will examine all questions with specific exercises and examples from musical literature.
The class will begin with looking at examples from folkloric music from Africa, India, Europe, and several other world traditions. We will be looking for commonalities in rhythm in ancient thought and tradition. Then we will continue into modern traditions and applications, looking at artists in the 20th century such as Thelonious Monk, Gyorgy Ligeti, James Brown, Sonny Rollins, Conlon Nancarrow, Steve Coleman, Meshuggah.
The course is not as concerned with “jazz” vocabulary as much as making sure that each student has a solid foundation in rhythmic concepts. We will pursue two main technical directions: “linear” and “contrapuntal” rhythm, meaning rhythms occurring in a single layer, or multiple layers. Instruments and paper are not necessary, as all work will be done with clapping, singing, and memorization. All Levels are welcome.
Every Thursday at 7 pm (2 hours).
Date: Bi-weekly.
Faculty: Miles Okazaki.
Location: New York Jazz Workshop
149 W 46th street, 2nd floor, between 6th and 7th ave.
NY, NY 10036 US
Fee: $ 185.00 every four classes, plus a one time $45.00 registration fee.
For more information please click the register button and fill in the online form without commitment.