Seminars & ConcertsTHE REHARMONIZED REAL BOOK SEMINAR
Learn to vertically harmonize single notes many ways while creating contrapuntal settings for melodies with horizontal harmony movement. ELECTRONIC INNOVATIONS ON MUSIC - multi-media presentation Using vintage video of Roy Smeck in 1929, Les Paul and Mary Ford in 1953, Jack & Jill demonstrate how looping technology affects music performance today. SEMINAR, REHEARSAL & CONCERT WITH YOUR JAZZ ENSEMBLE Walt Stuart created the Beyond The Sea arrangement for Bobby Darin and crafted our big band arrangements. Steve Peplin arranged Horace Silver's Lonely Woman for Jill to sing with a string quartet. Copies are available for rehearsals. Hear these on our IT'S ABOUT THE MUSIC CD. POWER PRACTICING WORKSHOP Get unstuck. Move ahead of your competition. Practice more efficiently by creating a proper work station. CHORDS • Melody harmonization / chord soloing / reading chord charts • Alterations, substitutions, extensions, polytonality, 4th structiures IMPROVISING • Techniques for creating a jazz solo from a compositional viewpoint • Ornette Coleman's Harmelodics theory • 12 tone "scale free" improvisation • John Coltrane's and Eric Dolphy's polytonal theory MODERN GUITAR TECHNIQUE • Horizontal and vertical movement on the guitar neck • 12 keys in one position / 1 key in twelve positions • Soloing with octaves and harmonics • Playing effectively in a small ensemble or big band • Treatments for and prevention of instrument induced hand, wrist, neck, back pain and problems . Using looper technology to enhance practicing and performance. - Creating an effective hybrid right hand technique COMPING - for instrumental soloists and vocalists • Altered chords / polytonal chords / chord substitution PRACTICING • Four methods of efficient practicing • Creating the perfect practice studio / area EQUIPMENT • Guitar setup / maintenance / adjustment • Choosing the best guitar for your music • Creating your best sound / amp adjustment, placement, purchase - Creating an effects rack to enhance your music PLAYING SOLO / Duo / Quartet / Big Band • Walking bass lines and chords simultaneously • The art of accompanying a vocalist in a guitar / voice duo • Walking bass lines and improvising a melody simultaneously. BUSINESS • Career promotion / understanding "the music business" • Making money playing music - Creating an onstage image and personality - Speaking effectively to audiences with a powerful presentation COMPOSITION - THEORY - HARMONY • Construction of melodies, chord changes, and song forms and their relationships to each other EAR TRAINING • Solfeggio-free ear training directly related to performance . Transcribing techniques - melodies and chords - Help for those with perfect pitch in navigating the world. ____________ From Vernita Lord, student - Milwaukee Area Technical College "I would like to thank you Mr. Grassel for your encouragement and patience. I have learned so many wonderful skills from you. I was never bored in any of your classes and it was a pleasure having you as a teacher and supervisor." |
Jack in 2005 teaching a music business class as the guest artist at Western Illinois University. He travels anywhere to teach (and play) music.
Improvisational techniques to classical guitarist David Elias Compusano in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. January 19, 2011
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From Guy Gregg, Director of Bands - Oak Creek High School
"We were extremely fortunate to be able to host Jack Grassel and Jill Jensen as guest artists for our High School Jazz
Ensemble Concert. Jack and Jill are consummate professionals who brought an incredible breadth of experience, knowledge,
musicality and kindness to our classroom. They related to students and told incredible stories of their own musical journeys.
They came to rehearsals and collaborated seamlessly while performing with our students. Jill offered sensitive musicality and
advice that students do not get from anyone other than a passionate professional. Jack's virtuosity exposed elements unknown
to our students and opened their eyes to so many future possibilities. Above all, Jack and Jill are class acts
and were shining role models for our students on how to treat each other and our music."
"We were extremely fortunate to be able to host Jack Grassel and Jill Jensen as guest artists for our High School Jazz
Ensemble Concert. Jack and Jill are consummate professionals who brought an incredible breadth of experience, knowledge,
musicality and kindness to our classroom. They related to students and told incredible stories of their own musical journeys.
They came to rehearsals and collaborated seamlessly while performing with our students. Jill offered sensitive musicality and
advice that students do not get from anyone other than a passionate professional. Jack's virtuosity exposed elements unknown
to our students and opened their eyes to so many future possibilities. Above all, Jack and Jill are class acts
and were shining role models for our students on how to treat each other and our music."