Fundamentals of Music 1
Wed 8.15 – 10.15 p.m.
Perfect for the beginner, this class is a fun and comfortably-paced way to get the basics! We cover music notation, major scales, intervals and simple chords (using chapters 1 - 4 from our Contemporary Music Theory Level 1 book), as well as some beginning eartraining and rhythmic concepts.
Prerequisites: None.

HSM instructor, Justin Morell, explains
key signatures to fundamentals students.

Contemporary Music Theory 1
Thu 6 – 8 p.m. OR Sat 3.15 – 5.15 p.m.
This class is a 'fast-track' approach to theory & harmony basics, covering all of the theory areas in the above Fundamentals 1 & 2 classes, within a single ten-week quarter (class works through all of our Contemporary Music Theory Level 1 book). Intervals, major & minor scales, key signatures, modes, 3- and 4-part chords, diatonic relationships (e.g. I-IV-V) and more, are all presented from a pop/jazz perspective. This class is offered on TWO different days of the week. See schedule and choose which works best for you.
Prerequisites: Although this class starts at the beginning of theory/harmony, the pace is double that of the Fundamentals classes, so some music & notation experience is recommended. This class is perfect if you need to 'fill in the gaps' in your basic theory knowledge, but do not need the slower pace of the Fundamentals classes.

Contemporary Music Theory 2
Sat 12.30 – 3 p.m.
This is an intermediate harmony class covering 5-part chords, substitutions, major and minor keys and their chords, analysis of tunes, 3- and 4-part 'upper structure' chords, and use of blues/pentatonic scales. Learn how harmony is really used in pop & jazz styles! Class uses our Contemporary Music Theory Level 2 book.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of scales, keys, chords and diatonic relationships, as taught in Contemporary Music Theory 1 (or Fundamentals of Music 1 and 2).

Contemporary Music Theory 3 (NEW!)
Wed 8.15 – 10.15 p.m.
This more advanced harmony class shows you how to build all major, minor, dominant and diminished chords, with all the extensions (i.e. up to the 13th) and alterations! Scale sources for all chords (vital for the improviser), polychords, and the use of 'interior shapes' within chords are also explained. Class material is based on Mark Harrison's forthcoming Contemporary Music Theory level 3 book.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of theory basics, as taught in Contemporary Music Theory 1 (or Fundamentals of Music 1 and 2). Familiarity with the Contemporary Music Theory Level 2 material is also desirable (but not essential).

Contemporary Eartraining 1
Thu 8.15 – 10.15 p.m.
Ever want to be able to write down the music as you hear it? Using the 'SOLFEG' system (DO-RE-MI etc.) you can! You'll practice transcribing notes of melodies, chords and bass lines, learning resolutions through in-class vocal drills and audio tapes to use at home. We'll use our Contemporary Eartraining Level 1 text, originally written by Mark Harrison for the world-acclaimed Grove School of Music.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of music notation in treble clef.

Contemporary Eartraining 2
Tue 8.15 – 10.15 p.m.
The second level of our eartraining expands the SOLFEG system so you can transcribe triad progressions for pop and four-part 'II-V-I' jazz progressions. We'll also work on hearing modal scales, key changes and harmonized melodies. Once again you'll use audio tapes for practice, and our Contemporary Eartraining Level 2 text (developed by Mark Harrison at the Grove School of Music).
Prerequisites: Ability to recognize major scale resolutions & melodies, as covered in Contemporary Eartraining 1.

Contemporary Eartraining 3 (NEW!)
Thu 8.15 – 10.15 p.m.
The third level of our eartraining works on hearing more sophisticated pop & jazz chord progressions, chromatic melodies and their harmonization, interval relationships, modal patterns, 2-part melodies, and more advanced key changes. Again you'll use audio tapes for practice, and our Contemporary Eartraining Level 3 text (developed by Robbie Gillman at the Grove School of Music).
Prerequisites: Ability to recognize basic melodies and chords, as covered in Contemporary Eartraining 1 and 2.

Improvisation Techniques 1
Wed 6 – 8 p.m.
Can you name 3 different methods used in improvising a solo? Most systems offer only ONE! We'll show you how to integrate multiple techniques, for pop & jazz soloing. In-class playing for all instrumentalists!
Prerequisites: Basic playing and reading skills on your instrument (beginning improvisers will benefit from taking Fundamentals of Music or Contemporary Music Theory 1 concurrently).

Improvisation Techniques 2
Mon 6 – 8 p.m.
A more advanced class which further develops improvisation techniques over altered chord progressions and substitutions, as well as showing you how to apply complex scales and modal concepts when soloing.
Prerequisites: Completion of the Improvisation Techniques 1 material, or equivalent knowledge of improvisation basics

Improvisation Techniques 3
Sat 3 – 5 p.m.
New techniques for the improv "bag of tricks" with the introduction of more sophisticated harmonies and rhythmic structures. Using solo transcriptions, prominent players' styles will be analyzed and students will apply these ideas to specific jazz and pop tunes.
Prerequisites: Completion of the Improvisation Techniques 2 material, or intermediate improvisation experience.

Rhythm Workout 1
Thu 6 – 8 p.m.
Panic when you see dotted eighth notes? Well no more! These rhythmic classes will have you sightreading more professionally! Intense in-class workouts of reading, notation and clapping of pop & jazz rhythms.
Prerequisites: None.

Rhythm Workout 2
Tue 6 – 8 p.m.
Here we begin transcribing rhythms from commercial recordings, delving into more complex rhythmic subdivisions, odd-time meters and polyrhythms. Further work in notating, reading and clapping (see Rhythm Workout 1). You'll be smirking at sixteenths, taming triplets, laughing at dotted rests, and able to count anything!
Prerequisites: Completion of the Rhythm Workout 1 material, or equivalent knowledge of rhythm basics.

Rhythm Workout 3
Sat 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Is that a marengue or mambo? Hip-hop or funk? Continuing with in-class "workout" of reading, transcribing, and clapping we'll learn to recognize and play more specialized rhythms in latin, pop, and jazz. Emphasis on more complex rhythms and hearing multiple (2-4) rhythms simultaneously!
Prerequisites: Completion of the Rhythm Workout 2 material, or intermediate rhythmic experience.