Jazz Workout

Discover how to improvise effortlessly over jazz standards. Learn them by heart so you can play them with others.

  • Full course programme
  • Useful practice videos
  • Inspiring jam tracks
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€ 295 One-off payment

Does this sound familiar?

  • You want to learn jazz standards, but don’t know where to start
  • You improvise, but get lost in the chord progression
  • You feel overwhelmed by the amount of repertoire you still want to learn
  • You want to solo with complete freedom, but lack the structure to achieve that

You can also learn to improvise on jazz standards with complete freedom. And play them from memory so that you can easily join in with others. What you need is a practice routine that gives you enough time to study the music thoroughly, step by step.

That is exactly what the Jazz Workout offers.

Please note: This course programme is intended for students who are already working with the Improvise for Real method, either through my own workshops or via the IFR platform. Not familiar with it yet? Start with my introduction workshop.

Benefits after completion:

  • You’ll improvise with complete freedom over the chord progressions of the jazz standards provided. You won’t lose your way; you’ll know how to structure your solo and tell your own musical story.
  • You’ll find it increasingly easy to learn new standards, as you’ll recognise common chord progressions. This will give you greater confidence whilst playing.
  • You’ll develop your technique by studying the language of jazz soloists through targeted exercises.
  • You’ll fill the gaps in your theoretical knowledge, as a constant link is made between the IFR method and music theory as applied in practice.
  • You’ll have a growing repertoire that you can play at jam sessions, concerts or with your musical friends.
  • You’ll stay motivated, because you’re following a programme that’s guaranteed to help you progress.
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€ 295 One-off payment

The nine jazz standards

Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, Black Orpheus, All of Me, Song For My Father, On The Sunny Side Of The Street, My Funny Valentine, There Will Never Be Another You, Blue Bossa, Stella By Starlight.

After every standard, you know: I can do this. And you build up that feeling nine times over.

Combine the Jazz Workout with the Blues Workout for even more value — and receive a €50 discount when purchasing both self-study programmes together.

What does the curriculum cover?

Inspiring, step-by-step lessons

You’ll learn the form, chords and melody of one jazz standard at a time. Using the tonal map, you’ll practise your melodic improvisation over the chord progression, enabling you to play the standard from memory with ease. You’ll no longer feel overwhelmed, but will know exactly where you are and what the next step is.

Useful practice videos

With over 25 practice videos, you’ll practise the exercises from the lessons alongside Jelske. You’ll sing and play the melodic paths of the tonal map together and take turns improvising over the accompanying jam track. This way of practising is the one most appreciated by students.

High-quality jam tracks

You’ll practise with over 75 high-quality jam tracks designed to support your study of harmony. These jam tracks have been broken down into ‘loops’ (shorter sections), allowing you to practise a chord progression step by step in sections using the tonal map. All jam tracks are downloadable MP3 files.

audio examples appear below

Black Orpheus:

Blue Bossa:

All of Me:

Softly, funky versie:

My Funny Valentine:

Creative assignments

You’ll discover how to develop your own musical voice and prepare for unexpected situations by practising the standard in a different style or key. You’ll also learn, through targeted exercises, how to fuel your imagination with solos by well-known jazz soloists.

Technical exercises in context

You’ll refine your instrumental technique with exercises tailored to your repertoire, such as patterns, licks or motifs from great soloists. This will help you develop a better ear for your instrument, and it’s great fun too!

Music theory in context

You’ll explore the connection between IFR notation and the theory used in jazz practice, with chord analysis exercises to help you effortlessly translate IFR into standard chord symbols.

Finally, an organised approach to improvising

I have always wanted to improvise, but never really gone about it in an organised way as other things in life have taken priority. Having the material laid out every lesson has been amazing.

Tony Farrel
trumpet

It always brings me back to what matters

I especially liked the interactive highlighting of the melody paths on the play-along videos - really helpful. I've found this process always leads me back into the basics and getting under the skin further.
Charlie Rice
bassclarinet

Everything fell into place

After years of practising chords and scales, nobody had ever been able to explain to me clearly how and where to apply them. This method finally showed me how everything fits together.
Tom de Groot
alto sax

Jazz
Workout

€ 295

  • 9 jazz standards
  • 25 play-along videos
  • 75+ jam tracks
  • In-depth exercises
  • 9 months of enjoyable study
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value pack

Jazz + Blues Workout

€ 390

€ 340

  • Everything in the Jazz Workout
  • Full blues programme included
  • 33+ play-along videos
  • 90+ jam tracks
  • A full year of enjoyable study
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