We are open for in-person learning and continue to offer online lessons and classes.
Online classes and ensembles are labeled in the descriptions with the symbol:
Online Class đź’»
Step into the world of Parisian Hot Jazz circa 1935. For students new to the genre Gypsy Jazz this class will combine short lectures on the history and tributaries of the music with analysis, theory, and technique development. As we study, discuss, and play on our instruments works by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli we will learn about elements specific to this genre including composition, improvisation, and ensemble playing. Relevant short assignments will be given.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Violins/violas, clarinets, guitars, upright bass, accordion, mandolins, cellos, flutes
Prerequisites: String and woodwind players should read music and be able to play major scales in concert C, G, D, A, E, F, and B-flat. Guitar players should be able to play major and minor bar chords with the root on A or E strings. Accordion players should be able to play major and minor chords. Bass players should be able to play the root and the 5th for major and minor chords.
Class size: 4–12 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch; Mondays, 6:30–7:30pm
Instructor: Scott Feichter
Tuition:Â $559 Fall (14 weeks), $479 Winter (12 weeks), $399 Spring (10 weeks), $319 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
For intermediate to advanced students this class will delve deeper into the repertoire and composers of this music past and present. Topics of exploration include the development of the genre after Django’s passing by surveying works from the families Ferret, Schmidt, Rosenberg and others. The class will also evaluate predecessors in the genres of Musette and Dixieland and briefly touch on some related sounds from Flamenco, Irish, Ragtime, and Blues. In studying these works we can examine how Gypsy Jazz is not only an innovation but also a synthesis of related styles. Relevant assignments will be given.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Violins/violas, clarinets, guitars, upright bass, accordion, mandolins, cellos, flutes
Prerequisites: Entrance by audition. A 20-minute private audition with the teacher can be arranged by contacting the teacher at scott@sfcmc.org. Once approved for entrance, students should then make an appointment to register prior to attending their first session.
Class size: 4–12 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch; Mondays, 8:00-9:00pm
Instructor: Scott Feichter
Tuition:Â $559 Fall (14 weeks), $479 Winter (12 weeks), $399 Spring (10 weeks), $319 Summer (8 weeks)
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Video by Scott Feichter and Tony Naterra
CMC offers jazz ensembles for players of all levels. Explore a standard jazz repertoire in a dynamic, participatory setting.
The beginning jazz ensemble focuses on improvisation concepts, improving, solos and developing ensemble skills. The intermediate and advanced ensembles play the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Freddie Hubbard; focusing on communicating as an ensemble, improvising, phrasing, groove, and dynamics to make the music come alive. There will be a culminating performance at CMC at the end of each quarter.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Brass, woodwinds, strings and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums)
Musical Styles: Jazz standards, be-bop, blues, Latin jazz
Prerequisites:
Class size: 4–8 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch
Instructor:
Tuition:Â $559 Fall (14 weeks), $479 Winter (12 weeks), $399 Spring (10 weeks), $319 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
Learn how to apply jazz theory to hone your improvisational skills. You will be introduced to the blues, the seven modes of a major scale, motivic development, the value of limitations within improvising, and much more. We will work on ear training exercises and analyze jazz standards as a group.
Ages: Adults
Instrument: All instruments, no singers
Prerequisites: Ability to play all major scales and arpeggios by memory
Class size: 2–8 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Saturdays, 2:30–3:30pm
Instructor: Max Miller-Loran
Tuition:Â $559 Fall (14 weeks), $479 Winter (12 weeks), $399 Spring (10 weeks), $319 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
Learn how to execute arrangements and improvise in a small jazz ensemble setting. Students will share improvisation concepts, improve solos, explore group dynamics, and sound quality. Players will be strongly encouraged to write original tunes, and there will be various performance opportunities throughout the year.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Woodwinds, brass, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums)
Musical Styles: Jazz standards, blues, Latin jazz, originals
Prerequisites: For intermediate to advanced students
Class size: 2–5 students
Location, Day and Time: Richmond District Branch, Thursdays, 5:30pm–7:00pm
Instructor: Max Miller-Loran
Tuition:Â $559 Fall (14 weeks), $479 Winter (12 weeks), $399 Spring (10 weeks), $319 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
Hone your comping skills! The primary job of a jazz rhythm section is to support the melody and soloists – in other words, to ‘comp’. This workshop will focus on creating a good rhythm section feel through the articulation of time, form, harmony, and rhythm. We’ll explore a range of styles, feels, and tempos.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Open to all rhythm section instruments: piano,bass, drums, guitar, vibes (must bring own)
Prerequisites: Knowledge of major and minor scales recommended, admission with instructor’s consent.
Class size: 4–8 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch; Tuesdays, 4:45–6:15pm
Instructor: Charlie Gurke
Tuition: $559 Fall (14 weeks), $479 Winter (12 weeks), $399 Spring (10 weeks), $319 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
If you’d like to be matched with other students in a small Jazz ensemble or receive coaching for an existing group, please fill out a Chamber Music Inquiry Form.
