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In this lively hands-on class, students learn the nuts and bolts of various rock and R&B keyboard styles by playing quintessential tunes from the ‘50s through the present. Students may also request one tune each which the class will explore together. In recognition of the enormous musical legacy of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, this year’s class will include a special look at the style of renowned keyboardist Benmont Tench. Materials provided by instructor. Prerequisites: ability to read standard notation; familiarity with major and minor chords.
REQUIRED READING/MATERIALS: Provided by instructor
COURSE OUTLINE:
NOTE: Subject matter, pacing, and sequencing may vary from the syllabus depending on students’ experience levels and progress.
Introductions
Course overview
Overview of the various roles that keyboards play in rock and R&B, and how those roles have changed over the decades
Overview of the most common keyboards used in rock and R&B
Brief historical overview
List of keyboardists and keyboard-heavy groups; start listening at home
Begin first repertoire tunes(s)
Brief check-in, responses to listening, questions/discussion
The piano
Continue and add to repertoire tunes
Introduction to Benmont Tench
Organs, especially the Hammond B-3 organ
Quick Look at student-requested tune (if any)
Benmont Tench, continued
The Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos
The Hohner Clavinet
Synthesizers
Other keyboards
Start summarizing style and techniques
Start winding up final repertoire tunes
Finish summarizing styles and techniques
Look at how to apply what you’ve learned to new repertoire
Benmont Tench, complete
Final questions
Continue looking at how to apply what you’ve learned to new repertoire
Review of topics and tunes covered
Suggestions for further listening and study
Shared reflections
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Jennifer Jolly (piano, keyboards)
Performer, educator, choral/musical theater accompanist. Specialist in American roots styles (New Orleans & Louisiana, blues, boogie-woogie, country), funk, R&B, and Caribbean and African music. Currently performing with Kotoja, Zulu Spear, Big B & His Snakeoil Saviors, The Jolly Gibsons, and several other Bay Area groups. Frequent guest performer with Tom Rigney & Flambeau. Previous performance credits include Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Barbara Dane, Hot Links. Faculty instructor at Cazadero Family Camp since 1999. B.A., UC Berkeley.
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