Live Jazz Jams (Small Ensemble)
This class allows you to experience both contemporary and traditional styles in a small ensemble format. Using simple charts from the Jazz standard repertoire, advanced-beginner through intermediate level musicians will learn to listen & communicate with one another, explore rhythmic grooves and gain insight into the art of improvisation in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Bring your instrument; jazz vocalists are also welcome. This workshop is based on individual attention and hands-on learning.

Level 1 (For grades 6-12)


Everyone Can Improvise! (Music Theory)
This class gives you the tools to build your own improvised sound with a revolutionary music theory approach that works for beginners through advanced musicians. Each week features both learning and playing, with an emphasis on being creative-no matter which instrument or style of music you play. Do you want to learn to write music? This theory also helps aspiring songwriters and composers in mastering their artistic expression. Everyone is welcome, regardless of level or previous experience.
Level 1 (For grades 6-12)


Instruments: Ancient to Future
This unique class enriches your world with an incredible, enjoyable, hands-on opportunity to play the 140 traditional ethnic instruments in Andy Wasserman's personal collection. Each week is a musical journey of age-appropriate multicultural lessons and live music from West African, Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Native American, and South American regions. These acoustic instruments are played alongside Andy's huge collection of digital instruments: keyboards, synthesizers, electronic drums and digital signal processor and samplers. Everyone gets to play, listen, and jam together. All are welcome; no previous musical experience is necessary.

Here are 3 tracks of music that were recorded with a group of teens at the Fuzz Box Teen Center after 4 sessions with Andy Wasserman. There are 12 teenagers spontaneously jamming on Andy's instruments, both acoustic and electronic. The cultural themes on these tracks are Middle East, Native American and Japanese. This is a good example of what the teens can look forward to playing and recording for the culmination of the workshop course. Each teen gets a copy of the CD that contains their music jam session.

 

Here is a flyer for some of Andy's workshops for Teens that were hosted at a community arts center.

 

 

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