The Herbie Hancock Jazz ensemble

When & Where

25 April 2023 - 4 July 2023 ( 15 hours, 10 weeks )
Evening, Tuesday
View course timetable
Waterloo Centre

Quick Facts

Availability Yes
Tutor Sara Dhillon
Course Code W22JPMA08A
Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course

What you will learn

Learn to play the music of the extraordinary and influential jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, who has probably enjoyed more commercial success than almost any other jazz musician, and who possesses a wonderful technique, lovely groove-oriented feel, and wide stylistic range incorporating Modal Jazz, Jazz funk, Fusion, contemporary Jazz and more. You will gain greater insight as to why his music sounds the way it does, and look at some of the key harmonic and rhythmic devices he uses to construct his solos. PLEASE NOTE: THE PIANO AND BASS CHAIRS HAVE BEEN FILLED.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

play though a range of Hancock's more well known compositions from his early days as a bandleader in the 1960s through to more recent works to gain a deeper understanding of his music and his approach to improvising, rhythm and harmony.
analyse and transcribe parts of Hancock's solos from his more well-known repertoire and try to incorporate some of his approaches into your own playing.
to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the music of Herbie Hancock and how he has ongoingly embraced new sounds and technology to keep evolving as an artist.

Cost

Full fee

£130

Concession fee

£100

Class format and activities

You will play through a selection of Herbie Hancock compositions with guidance and coaching from the tutor to help improve your phrasing, feel and articulation. You will also learn how to improvise over his music. Part of this will include some guided listening and looking at selected Hancock solos to gain greater depth and understanding of his own approach to improvisation.

Entry requirements

It is recommend that you are at intermediate level (approximately ABRSM Grade V level or above) or have at least 4 years playing experience on you instrument. It doesn't matter what style of music you have played/studied previously.

What you need to know before you enrol

I would recommend you start listening to the music of Herbie Hancock to get a feel for all the different styles his compositions encompass.PLEASE NOTE. THE PIANO CHAIR HAS BEEN TAKEN

What you need

Your instrument and manuscript paper to write on.

What you can do next

Summer Jazz Week, Jazz Harmony and Ear Training, Bossa Nova and Brazilian Classics Ensemble, Jazz Workshop, any of the Morley Swing Band/Big Bands.