Telematic Musicking

New Horizons Online Band

NOTE: All courses are on hold while Brent complete his dissertation. Thank you for your patience and patronage! 

I have always felt that learning how to improvise in a jazz context is best experienced with a group of musicians. While I do offer one-on-one lessons here, joining a group session creates a feeling of community support as we all navigate the jazz improvisation experience. All group improvisation courses are offered as part of the New Horizons Online Band program.
I founded the New Horizons Online Band (NHOB) program in December 2022 as a response to the trial programs run by the New Horizons International Music Association between fall 2021 and fall 2022. During that period 11 programs with over 70 total participants were offered, the initial pilot project video can be viewed here.
How do we do this online? We use an open-source (free) software called Jamulus for hearing each other, and the video conferencing software Zoom for seeing each other.
Three programs are offered through the NHOB all focusing on my area of expertise - jazz improvisation.
I have designed the programs to be as practical as possible. All programs focus on learning and playing the theory or language of jazz improvisation. Each program is tailored to meet the needs of the members, however, the descriptions below provide a basic description of some topics covered.

Beginner Jazz Improvisation
In this 3 week - 90 minutes per week program, using Jamulus in combination with Zoom, participants will learn about the basics of developing a jazz improvisation solo. The focus will be on understanding the harmonic structure of a basic blues progression and developing the rhythmic content needed to feel like a jazz musician. The role of each instrument – drums, bass, piano/guitar, and horns – will be explored and members will be given opportunity to fill their instrument’s role and create an improvised jazz solo. The focus is on playing and improvising together in real-time. Those not familiar with Jamulus must purchase the Jamulus Technical Support item.
Dates: TBA, contact Brent for more information brent@brentrowan.ca
Cost: $50 see currency note below

Intermediate Jazz Improvisation
In this 6 week - 90 minutes per week program, using Jamulus in combination with Zoom, this program is intended for those who have completed a beginner jazz improvisation program and would like to continue developing their theoretical and practical understanding of the jazz language. Topics include a review of the Blues form and the introduction of chord progressions, modal jazz, and melodic improvisation. The focus is on playing and improvising together in real-time. Those not familiar with Jamulus must purchase the Jamulus Technical Support item.
Dates: TBA, contact Brent for more information brent@brentrowan.ca
Cost: $90 see currency note below
 
Advanced Jazz Improvisation
In this 6 week - 90 minutes per week program, using Jamulus in combination with Zoom, this program is intended for those who have completed an intermediate jazz improvisation program and would like to continue developing their theoretical and practical understanding of the jazz language. This program allows for further development of “playing the changes” in a variety of key centers using a variety of jazz standards. Topics include a deeper dive into modes, chord changes, guide-tone lines and how to create melodic improvised solos. The focus is on playing and improvising together in real-time. Those not familiar with Jamulus must purchase the Jamulus Technical Support item.
Dates: TBA, contact Brent for more information brent@brentrowan.ca
Cost: $90 see currency note below

Electronic Payment Fees
All funds are in USD on the website.
***Canadian members who can pay via an e-transfer to brent@brentrowan.ca may pay at par, i.e. in CDN as there will be minimal electronic payment fees.
***US members may pay through the website link using PayPal in USD, which has non-minimal electronic payment (receiving) fees.
Thank you for your understanding.