The students in our Jazz Lab program meet together over the course of approximately 13 weeks. They are cast into multiple bands, allowing them to work with a variety of other students and assigned songs which they work through with the help of professional musician coaches. They focus on developing improvisation in a group format, group dynamics, and emotional investment in the music.

The Jazz Lab program focuses on music within the styles of jazz, funk and soul music. The program culminates with a large-scale public concert, complete with full sound, lights, and production.

This program is designed to augment and amplify the experience of individual instruction, but cannot replace the individual attention to skill-buidling that would be provided by a private teacher. Because of this, students need to have private lessons, whether through AMP or with a private teacher. What this program provides is valuable insight in the skills needed to play with other musicians, and essential motivation to power the process of personal practice.

While various skill levels are welcomed, students should have at minimum a beginning facility on their instrument, know how to read standard notation at a basic level, and be able to learn music outside of the group rehearsal. We recommend that brand-new players start with private lessons and join the program when they have a handful of songs under their fingers. Students must have their own instrument throughout the program to practice on (AMP can provide loaner instruments, where needed.)

No! During the 13 week course, students in the program will learn the theory and ear training skills needed to improvise, take solos and play in a small-combo format