Classes
A quick summary of the classes we offer
We offer a variety of Music Programs
Doors Open Jazz offers a variety of programs designed to exercise both the mind and body in order to promote the strengthening of the spirit.
Music classes are not only an education in playing musical instruments, but also an in-depth exploration of music theory with a focus on the application of instruction while playing.
A healthy mind and a healthy body work together to promote the strength of spirit necessary to face the challenges presented to us in the modern world. Through the utilization of positive reinforcement training methodologies, our students receive all of the foundations necessary to work towards building a positive spirit that benefits them for the rest of their lives.
Music Class Offerings
BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADVANCED GUITAR
Instructor: Christian Roemer
Our beginning guitar course is primarily for students with little to no experience with music or the guitar. They are introduced to different styles of picking, fingerstyle playing, and learning important chord positions to help develop a basic understanding of the guitar. They also learn the very basic levels of Music Theory and how to apply it to better their understanding of their guitar.
The intermediate guitar course is for pupils with moderate experience and understanding of music and the guitar. They are introduced to more challenging techniques on guitar including advanced chord positions, picking techniques, fretboard recognition and basic ear training. They also learn basic Music Theory as it applies to bettering their understanding of their guitar.
The advanced guitar course is for experienced players with a firm understanding of music and the guitar. They are challenged with extended chord voicings, advanced scales and modes, fretboard recognition, memorization practices, and advanced ear training. Students learn more Advanced concepts of Music Theory and how to apply it to their guitar.
BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADVANCED JAZZ WORKSHOP
Instructors: Antoine Williamson, Thomas Bumpass, Frank Bumpass, Dave Eckman and more.
In our beginning jazz workshop, students study call and response techniques, easy blues patterns, and pentatonics.
The intermediate jazz workshop activity consists of short performances and interactive dialogue with the class. Examples of subjects covered are: (1) the history of Jazz music and their influence on the world through multimedia, (2) pupil participation where students can perform with musicians and/or multimedia (3) learning intermediate scales, jazz scales, rhythms, chords and jazz riffs. (45-120 mins)
The advanced jazz workshop consists of short performances and interactive dialogue with band students. Examples of subjects covered are: (1) the history of Jazz music and their influence on the world through multimedia, (2) student participation where students can perform with the professional musicians on the bandstand and (3) advanced scales, jazz scales, rhythms, chords and jazz riffs. (45-120 mins)
Students can purchase books from jazzbooks.com.
BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADVANCED TRUMPET
Instructors: Antoine Williamson, Thomas Bumpass, Michael Ake
In our beginning trumpet class, students study the trumpet, learning musical notation in an easy to understand format, embouchure/mouthpiece position, warm-up techniques, tone production, fingering/their alternatives, attacking/tonguing, slurring of legato playing, beginner scales, simple arpeggios, rhythm figures, simple melodies, beginning jazz/improvisation, and Christmas music.
The intermediate trumpet class involves students in trumpet study, learning double/triple tonguing/jazz tonguing, range, ornaments/turns/trills/mordents etc, intermediate syncopations, intermediate arpeggios, circle of fifths, major/minor/blues/bebop/pentatonic/augmented/ diminished etc. scales, sight reading, classic/jazz/popular melodies, classical/jazz theory, intermediate jazz improvisation, etudes and concertos.
Our advanced trumpet class students increase positive developments on the above mentioned as well as advanced classic and popular melodies, advanced sight reading, advanced arpeggios, advanced circle of fifths major/minor/aug./dim. etc., advanced classical/jazz/bebop/latin jazz/fusion theory, cadenzas, advanced jazz improvisation, solo writing, and transcription writing.
BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADVANCED SAXOPHONE
Instructors: Frank Bumpass, Dave Eckman, and Trinity Sharpe.
The beginner saxophone student learns the basics of instrument care, mouthpiece usage, reeds, music notes, basic reading skills, scales, beginning tunes, and how to practice.
Our intermediate classical/jazz saxophone pupil at Doors Open Jazz has a supportive environment in which they have the opportunity to play a variety of repertoire in saxophone pedagogy. They have a chance to learn solo improvisation. Several saxophonists have the opportunity to play in DOJ’s ensemble in outreach performances in the community, and interactive performance with real professional musicians! Future plans include local and national competitions. Pupils also participate in the DOJ (Doors Open Jazz) ensemble concert each semester and/or after each six-week session.
Advanced saxophone class pupils will increase positive developments on the above mentioned as well as advanced classic and popular melodies, advanced sight reading, advanced arpeggios, advanced circle of fifths major/minor/aug./dim. etc., advanced classical/jazz/bebop/latin jazz/fusion theory, cadenzas, advanced jazz improvisation, solo writing, and transcription writing.
BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADVANCED TROMBONE
Instructors: Michael Ake and Trinity Sharpe
In our beginning trombone class learns the basics of instrument care, mouthpiece usage, positions, music notes, basic reading skills, scales, beginning tunes, and how to practice.
The intermediate classical/jazz trombone student at Doors Open Jazz has a supportive environment in which they have the opportunity to play a variety of repertoire in trombone pedagogy. Students have a chance to learn solo improvisation.
Several trombonists have the opportunity to play in DOJ’s ensemble in outreach performances in the community, and interactive performances with real professional musicians! Future plans include local and national competitions. Players may also participate in the DOJ (Doors Open Jazz) ensemble concert each semester and/or after each six-week session.
The advanced trombone class teaches students will increase positive developments on the above mentioned as well as advanced classic and popular melodies, advanced sight reading, advanced arpeggios, advanced circle of fifths major/minor/aug./dim., advanced classical/jazz/bebop/latin jazz/fusion theory, cadenzas, advanced jazz improvisation, solo writing, and transcription writing.
BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADVANCED BASS
Instructors: Christian Crann and Jay Stanfill
The beginner bass jazz student learns the basics of instrument care, tuning, basic amp and cabinet knowledge, correct posture and hand placement/finger positions, music notes, basic reading skills, scales, beginning tunes, and how to practice.
Our intermediate bass classes feature classical/jazz/rock/reggae for students. They have the opportunity to play a variety of repertoire in bass pedagogy. They have a chance to learn solo improvisation. Several bassists have the opportunity to play in DOJ’s ensemble in outreach performances in the community, and interactive performances with real professional musicians!
Future plans include local and national competitions. The pupils may also participate in the DOJ(Doors Open Jazz) ensemble concert each semester and/or after each six-week session.
Advanced jazz bass pupils will increase positive developments on the above mentioned as well as advanced classic and popular melodies/harmonies, advanced sight reading, advanced arpeggios, advanced circle of fifths major/minor/aug./dim., advanced classical/jazz/bebop/latin jazz/fusion theory, cadenzas, advanced jazz improvisation, solo writing, and transcription writing.
BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADVANCED KEYS
Instructors: Michael Ake, Antoine Williamson, Nancy Westmoreland and Thomas Bumpass
The beginner keyboard student learns the basics of instrument care, correct posture and hand/finger placement, positions, music notes, basic reading skills, scales, beginning tunes, and how to practice.
Doors Open Jazz intermediate keys class teaches classical/jazz/rock/latin/reggae keyboard. In our supportive environment allows the students have the opportunity to play a variety of repertoire in keyboard pedagogy. Pupils have a chance to learn solo improvisation. Several keyboardists have the opportunity to play in DOJ’s ensemble in outreach performances in the community, and interactive performance with real professional musicians! Future plans include local and national competitions. They also participate in the DOJ (Doors Open Jazz) ensemble concert each semester and/or after each six-week session.
Advanced keyboard class will increase positive developments on the above mentioned as well as advanced classic and popular melodies, advanced sight reading, advanced arpeggios, advanced circle of fifths major/minor/aug./dim. etc., advanced classical/jazz/bebop/latin jazz/fusion theory, cadenzas, advanced jazz improvisation, solo writing, and transcription writing.
BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADVANCED DRUMS
Instructors: Jim Crumble, Yattie Westfield, and Darrell Kelly
The beginning drummers learn the basics of instrument care, tuning, basic rhythm patterns, beginner styles, time signatures, brand knowledge, correct posture and hand/finger placements, music notes, basic reading skills, beginning tunes, and how to practice.
In the intermediate drumming class learn the basics of jazz/rock/latin/reggae drumming. Doors Open Jazz has a supportive environment in which students have the opportunity to play a variety of styles on drums. They have a chance to learn solo improvisation. Several drummers have the opportunity to play in DOJ’s ensemble in outreach performances in the community, and interactive performance with real professional musicians!
Future plans include local and national competitions. Pupils may also participate in the DOJ(Doors Open Jazz) ensemble concert each semester and/or after each six-week session.
Advanced drum class pupils will increase positive developments on the above mentioned as well as advanced classic and popular songs, advanced sight reading, advanced classical rock/reggae/jazz/bebop/latin jazz/fusion, advanced jazz improvisation, solo writing, and transcription writing.