Jazz Camps New Jersey

Jazz Workshop, Premier Jazz Summer Camp in New Jersey

In Jazz Workshop, a New Jersey jazz summer camp for teens and adults, we explore the music from many points of view. Let’s take a look at the jazz standard, All the Things You Are.

How would one approach soloing on this piece? First off, I think it’s important to understand what’s happening with the harmony. In the first 5 bars of the melody we are in the key of A flat major, and then we are in the key of C major for bars 6-7-8. Let’s just take the first 8 bars. There is a macro way of approaching our solo and more of a micro way. For the macro approach you can play ideas in the key of A flat major for bars 1-5, and then shift your focus to playing ideas C major in bars 6-7-8. By thinking in these big harmonic sweeps, you can let your ideas breathe and use space more easily. I find you are a bit less in your head and you can just let your ear guide the way in the key you are in.

A micro approach would be knowing your scales for each chord you are playing. So for F minor 7th chord one could think F natural minor (also called F aeolian mode), and for B flat minor one could think B flat minor dominant 7th scale or B flat dorian mode. It’s important to know your scales not just in the abstract but be able to play them in time in the song you are working on.

At some point what’s start to happen is these 2 approaches merge and you are able to do both at the same time. It’s similar to when you drive you see the car in front of you but you are aware that there is a curve in the road 10 cars ahead of you as well. he ironic thing also is that once you develop then your ideas and vocabulary with these two approaches, you basically “forget” what you learned (using quotes here, you never really forget, it’s just not your focus anymore) and you use your ear to guide you as you tell a story through your solo with your fellow musicians.

In Jazz Workshop in Lebanon, New Jersey in Hunterdon County, we dive into the music and have a while lot of fun along the way. See you this summer!

A Unique Kind of Music Camp in New Jersey

Tucked away in the beautiful countryside of Hunterdon County in Lebanon, New Jersey, is a very different kind of music camp that has been around for twenty years offering an inspiring musical experience for all ages.

Our music camp is structured in a way where we have 2 music programs that run side-by-side:

  1. Rock Camp is from 9 - 2:50 pm, Monday-Friday, and is an amazing program where students have lessons throughout the day, play in a variety of ensembles, are able to take a number of electives during the day. While all this is happening we are having a whole lot of fun! I mean this is summer and we want students to have an inspiring experience and make friends along the way. If students would like to study jazz, we have an additional elective from 3-5 pm called Jazz Workshop. At the end of the week, students perform an amazing concert for friends, family, and the public. You can see our complete curriculum on our site.

  2. Jazz Workshop is from 1-5 pm and is geared towards teens and adults who have some experience in music and are looking to dive into the world of jazz. Students study harmony, improvisation, and perform in a variety of ensembles. You can see our full curriculum on our site as well.

We look forward to seeing you this summer at the premier music camp in New Jersey, Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop. All students are welcome from beginners-advanced, and all ages as well. Our teachers are all performing musicians who love to share their knowledge. We look forward to seeing you this summer!