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SEMINARS, CONCERTS & REHEARSALS WITH YOUR JAZZ ENSEMBLE Walt Stuart created the Beyond The Sea chart for Bobby Darin and crafted our big jazz band arrangements. Steve Peplin arranged Horace Silver's Lonely Woman for Jill with a string quartet. Rehearsal copies are available. These are on our IT'S ABOUT THE MUSIC CD. THE REHARMONIZED REAL BOOK SEMINAR Learn to vertically harmonize single notes while creating contrapuntal settings for melodies with horizontal harmony movement. ELECTRONIC INNOVATIONS IN MUSIC Using 1929 video of Roy Smeck, 1953 recordings of Les Paul & Mary Ford, Jack shows how looping technology affects music today. POWER PRACTICING WORKSHOP Get unstuck. Practice efficiently. Move ahead of your competition. JAZZ CHORD THEORY • Melody harmonization, chord soloing, reading chord charts • Alterations, substitutions, extensions, polytonality, 4th structures JAZZ IMPROVISING FROM CHARLIE PARKER TO THE PRESENT • Techniques for creating a jazz solo from a compositional viewpoint • Ornette Coleman's Harmelodic theory • "Free" improvisational techniques • 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 any size ensemble • Treatments & prevention of instrument induced pain . Using looper technology to enhance practicing and performance. - Creating better right and left hand techniques COMPING FOR VOCALISTS AND INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS • Altered chords, polytonal chords, chord substitution POWER PRACTICING • Methods of efficient and productive practicing EQUIPMENT CHOICES • Guitar choice / setup / maintenance / adjustment • Creating your best sound / amp adjustment / placement / purchase - Creating an effects rack to enhance your music PLAYING SOLO, DUO, TRIO, QUARTET, BIG BAND • Walking bass lines, chords and melody simultaneously • The art of accompanying a vocalist. UNDERSTANDING THE MUSIC BUSINESS • Career promotion - Creating an onstage identity, image and personality - Speaking effectively to audiences JAZZ COMPOSITION, THEORY AND HARMONY • Interaction of melodies to harmonies and song forms EAR TRAINING RELATED DIRECTLY TO PERFORMANCE • Solfeggio-free ear training . Transcribing techniques - melodies and chords - Help for those with perfect pitch in navigating the world. |
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."
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."
"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."
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."