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!

That's a Wrap, Summer 2023

Yesterday was the last day of our summer camps and classes for students of all ages, including our adult classes, in music, art, ceramics, theater, and dance. So proud of how every single student explored their chosen art form in such a deep, thoughtful, and collaborative way. Everyone worked together as a team to reach a new level and it was a whole lot of fun along the way! On behalf of all of the teachers of Rock Camp, Diving into Art, Explore Ceramics, Dance Intensive, Theater Workshop, and Jazz Workshop in Bridgehampton, New York City, and Lebanon, NJ - thank you!

It's All About Your Sound, Music Camp in Long Island and New Jersey

In Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop our music summer camp in Long Island, Bridgehampton, and Lebanon, New Jersey, we focus on what makes a great sound on your instrument. Whether you are a pianist, guitarist, drummer, singer, or whatever your instrument is, your sound is your what makes your music unique to you.

Often times many teachers will focus on the “what.” This is the scale that works over this harmony, and that is something we need to know, but there is something more important than that, your sound. Your sound or your voice on your instrument is what draws the listener closer to the music. It is something unique to you and something that should be developed side by side with learning music techniques, harmony, and rhythm.

So how does one work on one’s sound? For wind instruments, saxophone, flute, trumpet, etc…, you will focus on your breath and embouchure paying attention to things like vibrato, and your approach to how you play the note (legato, staccato). For pianists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers we pay attention to playing without tension, your attack (how you strike the note, thinking like a drummer), the position of your body and how that can change your sound.

Working on one’s sound is a process that takes place over time, and just having that awareness will help you create a sound that is personal and unique to you, a voice that expresses all you have to say in music!

Here are a few examples of musicians with distinct voices on their instruments.

Summer Jazz Camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons

At Jazz Workshop, our afternoon music camp in Lebanon, New Jersey, and Bridgehampton, New York, we will learn many many songs in the jazz world. Let’s take a look at Blue Bossa which we could potentially checkout check out. If so, we would learn the melody, harmony and what scales work over which chords. The bassists would learn various bass lines in addition to working on soloing. Pianists and guitarists would work not only on the chords and improvisation but also how to play a montuno pattern. Horn players and singers would work on the melody, phrasing, improvisation, discovering horn lines, and much more.

The trickiest part of this song for many musicians is towards the end where there is a II-V-I to D flat major (E flat minor, A flat 7th, D flat Major 7th). Down below are various ways we would approach learning to solo over this section which works well whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced musician.

The Premier Music Camp in New Jersey, Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop

When you come to our music camp, Rock Camp or Jazz Workshop, in the beautiful countryside of Lebanon, New Jersey, you will learn to master your instrument, play with others, and have a whole lot of fun along the way! At the end of the week we have a concert for friends, family, and the general public, a concert that our students prepare all week for.

While the music will undoubtably be amazing by all our students, whether beginner or advanced, no concert you will ever go to is ever “perfect.” Mistakes happen onstage, many of which no one in the audience notices because they are so minute and the musicians recover so quickly. We tell students it’s ok if you make mistakes. The key is to keep your cool and quickly recover, get back on the horse so to speak. After all, we are all human and part of being human is that mistakes happen.

Here is a video of the great pianist Herbie Hancock talking about that and how he came upon a surprising realization after hitting the wrong chord in a performance. Click here to see the video.

You Be You: Music, Art, Dance, and Theater Camps in Bridgehampton, NY and Lebanon, NJ

One of the benefits for those that come to our summer camps and classes in the Hamptons and New Jersey, Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop. Diving into Art, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop is that you are doing two things at the same time.

I once has a teacher that asked me what was a guitar. What is it? Well, it’s carved wood with steel or nylon strings, etc… The teacher shook his head, no, no, no. He smiled and said the guitar is a reflection of you! When you are studying to learn and master an art form this concept becomes more apparent every day. Through learning an art form you start to learn more and more about yourself. The second thing you realize is that while it’s important you work on your individual skills, it is also important to work well with others, to cooperate, challenge and support your fellow musicians, artists, dancers, and actors. These two ideas are not only important in the arts, but life in general!

Looking forward to seeing everyone this July!

That Initial Curiosity and Fascination with Music, Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop in New Jersey and the Hamptons

What draws people to music? Where does that magnetic pull come from? At Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop in New Jersey and the Hamptons we recognize that this kind of curiosity is a special thing. It’s a spark that we like to nurture, challenge, and develop though our lessons, bands, electives and performances. It’s a special thing because if you are surrounded by people who have a combination of knowledge and generous spirit, that spark will grow, grow, and grow.

Ray Charles talks about his first piano teacher and you can hear in his voice how that initial curiosity and fascination was nurtured and challenged to grow. Check it out.

Jazz Workshop Camp in Lebanon, New Jersey and Bridgehampton, Long Island

In Jazz Workshop, our afternoon camp in Lebanon, New Jersey (Hunterdon County) and Bridgehampton, NY (Suffolk County, Long Island) at our campus held at Acorn Montessori School, we will dive deep into the music and have a whole lot fun along the way!

Let’s take a look at a song by Miles Davis, “So What.” Not sure if we will decide on this one, but if so, this is how we would approach it.

• The Melody and Harmony. Horn players would learn the melody, pianists/guitarists would learn how to voice the chords, bass players would learn to walk a bass line, and drummers would work on swinging.

• Improvisation. We would talk about what modes and scales work you could use over the song, and then more importantly we would talk about phrasing. A great solo is like a great monologue…it’s not just the words or in our case the notes….it’s how one emphasizes notes, uses space, cadence, and how one brings out their individuality that really matters.

• Ensemble Playing. If soloing is similar to make a great speech, than ensemble playing is similar to having a great conversation with friends. We will talk and learn to play in a way where we are responding (as well as supporting and challenging our fellow musicians) thereby creating music that is greater than the sum of its part, music that is human, and sounds that connect with both your fellow musicians and your audience.

An Inner Confidence Rises Up, Music, Art, Dance, Theater Camp in the Hamptons

Through the years I have noticed an inner confidence emerge from students in our music, art, dance, theater camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey. Something happens when someone throws himself or herself into something and creates something that they never thought was possible.

When students arrive at our music camp, our art camp, our theater camp, and our dance camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey, there is a mix of excitement and maybe a bit of nervous energy. It’s amazing to see how this feeling transforms into a certain confidence that comes through performance and sharing your talents with your peers, family, and the public. It’s not showy…it’s a kind of quiet, inner confidence that radiates outward that’s built on accomplishments that they have seen through on their own with their fellow musicians, dancers, artists, and actors.

Music Camp in New Jersey

Tucked away in the beautiful countryside of Hunterdon County in Lebanon, New Jersey is a music camp dedicated to inspiring musicians, beginner-advanced, to take their music to the next level. At Rock Camp and Jazz Intensive students have morning and afternoon lesson and play in morning and afternoon bands. Our goal is for students to have a fun and social experience while also learning to play music from a variety of angles.

At the end of the week students perform in a concert for their friends, family and the public where you will hear a wide variety of rock music (for those in Rock Camp) and for those enrolled in Jazz Workshop you will hear jazz from the 50’s through today. You will also hear students perform original music which gets musicians thinking outside the box and the intersection of lyrics/telling a story and song structure possibilities.

So if you are looking for a music camp in New Jersey that is both fun and inspiring, you are in the right spot.

How a "Mistake" in Music Can Say So Much, Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop, Dance Intensive, Theater Workshop in New Jersey and the Hamptons

One of the benefits of learning music is you learn to adapt to change in the moment. Creating something whether its music, art, dance, or theater, you have to work as a team, and embracing change is part of that. This is something you will learn and experience at Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop in New Jersey and the Hamptons. The bass player may be rushing the beat a little bit, the drummer forgets the cue going to the bridge, an actor forgets a line, a painter makes a brush stroke he didn’t intend. What do you do, especially if it’s during a live performance?

Here is a fascinating video of the great pianist Herbie Hancock talking about making a “mistake” at the piano in a performance with the trumpeter Miles Davis. Herbie talks about cringing when it happened, but then he talks about how MIles Davis heard what happened and altered his notes to make his “mistake” something perfect. Herbie goes to say how this experience taught him to approach music and life differently. So good, check it out.

Summer Performing Arts Camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey, Music, Art, Dance, Theater

If you have a passion for either music, art, dance, or theater, we welcome you to our summer camp in the Hamptons, Long Island, or our campus in Lebanon, New Jersey. Our summer camps are for all ages (Adults, College, High school, and middle school) and include Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop, Diving Into Art, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop. Wherever your passion lies, we have you covered, and encourage you to dive in and get inspired this summer.

Give us a call or email and we can tell you more, (908) 230-6079, HMSRockCamp@gmail.com.

• In Rock Camp students having morning and afternoon lessons, morning and afternoon bands, electives, and perform at the end of the week for friends, family and the public.

• In Jazz Workshop students perform in ensembles, learn to improvise, and understand how harmony works. Students perform a concert for friends, family, and the public.

• In Diving Into Art students learn acrylic painting in Session I (July 18-22, Hamptons) and Watercolor Painting (July 25-29, Hamptons). There are electives in the afternoon and each week culminates with a public exhibit at the end of the week.

• In Dance Intensive students engage in our hip hop workshop taught by one of the leading dancer/choreographers in the dance world, Carlos Neto (Alvin Ailey, Broadway Dance Center, NYU). There is a performance at the end of the week for family, friends, and the general public. (July 18-22 only, Hamptons).

• In Theater Workshop students will perform the musical Little Shop of Horrors. This camp is two weeks long, July 18-22 and then July 24-28 in the Hamptons.

Jazz Camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons

Our jazz camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons is meant for musicians who want to take their music to another level in terms of improvising, finding their creative voice, and making music with like minded musicians who love music as much as you do. We have an adult class, a class for high school musicians, and a separate division for our middle school musicians in our jazz camp which meets in July in the afternoons, 3-5 pm (July 11-15 in New Jersey, and July 18-22 in the Hamptons). Whether you are an adult, a college students, a high schooler, or someone own middle school hungry to learn, you will find a welcome home here at Jazz Workshop.

Many musicians in our jazz camp ask about soloing and how to improvise. A few things come to mind.

1. A great solo is like a great story. Just like a great story, whether its a movie or in a book, has an arch, the same is true in music. There is a narrative that one can follow, with a theme or various themes. There is a beginning, middle, and an end. There is dialogue which translates into how a soloist articulates his or her ideas and uses spaces, pauses, exclamations, just like when we speak.

2. The soloist’s ideas are tied into the harmony of the music, and when it’s not connected to the harmony (when someone plays outside the key for instance) it’s done in a purposeful way.

3. A solo is alive, in the moment, and responds and interacts with the band playing.

There are many many amazing soloists in jazz, each with his or her unique voice. Here is the great Sonny Rollins soloing over his song St. Thomas.

Summer Jazz Camp in New Jersey and Long Island, Jazz Workshop

Jazz Workshop is a music camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons that aims to take students to a higher level through mastering their instrument or voice, how to solo, how to understand harmony, and inspiring students to find their individual voice in music.

Let’s look at George Gershwin’s song, Summertime, as an example of how we can dive into the music.

1. As a baseline for improvising on this song we need to know that we are in the key of d minor, and everyone will play the triads for d minor, g minor, and A major, root position and with inversions.

2. We see in measure 2 and 3, that we have a ii-V-i pattern. The II-V-I and it’s minor key equivelent, ii-V-i, is a harmonic cornerstone to many jazz songs, particularly music of the American Songbook. So after understanding this we need to put this knowledge in our fingers, voice, and become fluent with playing II-V-I’s passages in different ways and in different keys.

3. What about improvising? Well, there are many approaches we can take. A macro approach, and a way to just start getting into the music would be to review the d and g harmonic minor scales, as well as the f major scale. The d harmonic minor scale (d-e-f-g-a-b flat-c sharp) can be used over measure 1-3, 7-11, 14-16 while the g harmonic minor scale (g-a-b flat-c-d-e flat-f sharp) can be used in measures 4-6. The F major scale can be used in measures 12 and 13.

This is only one of many ways to start creating your own melodies over the song. Initially it’s important to learn the building blocks (scales, arpeggios, etc..), but once you have this understanding, one needs to throw this knowledge out the window in a way, and start creating melodies and lines that come from your voice, your own creativity, what you are hearing into the music. Then the music really comes alive and will inspire you and everyone listening!

Music Camp in New Jersey and Hamptons, 3 Things to Know

I have seen a few different approaches to music camps/education.....At Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop, our summer music camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons, I can confidently say we are the 3rd approach, without a doubt!

1. A fluffy-music-appreciation type of experience - that's not us (I am having flashbacks to when my children were very young and we took a few of these classes).

2. A hardcore conservatory approach (i.e Manhatten School of Music, Julliard...this is great but it's meant for older students and is meant as a pre-professional, bootcamp approach) -that's definitely not us either......

3. Banff Approach (a great center for the arts in western Canada). This is us!

The environment is social, fun, friendly, and students are inspired to learn and create as much from their teachers as their fellow musicians. You are surrounded by teachers who are pursuing careers in music who love to share with others. An interest in music or anything I suppose, is something that should be nurtured and allowed to grow at the same time.

Summer Jazz Camp in Lebanon, New Jersey

Our jazz camp in July we call Jazz Workshop which because this is a hands on experience where everyone is busy learning their instruments, playing in ensembles, learning to solo and accompany others, and creating new and original music.

An example of a song that we could dive into would be Horace Silver’s “Song for my Father.” The pianists would learn the chords and different voicings and how to comp behind the horns. The horn players would learn the melody obviously and the drummers would learn different rhythms that could work over the music.

After learning the written music, we would look at the harmony and what play through the scales the coincide with the chords and the overall key. Pianists would also dive into what is a montuno (a repeated rhythmic phrase played over chords). This then ties into the clave and the different types of claves acts as the rhythmic heartbeat of a song.

We would fluctuate between the micro and the macro in learning the music until we have it and everyone is soloing on a different level. It’s a fun process and one in which everyone will learn and get inspired whether you are a beginner to the music or are experienced.

Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop Summer Music Camp in Lebanon, New Jersey, Hunterdon County

Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop bringsthe most talented musicians from New Jersey and New York to work with students at our New Jersey campus and Hamptons Campus who have a passion for music. Rock Camp happens from 9-3, July 11-15th, and Jazz Workshop is afternoon program from 3-5 pm that same week.

It does not mater if you are experienced or brand new to music, our goal is for you to be 10 notches higher after your experience with us in terms of knowledge, technique, and inspiration.

We have a few things that are always top of mind.

1. This is summer and everyone wants to have a fun and an inspiring experience! It is equally important to us that student love their experience with us because that will feed into their enthusiasm for learning and taking risks.

2. Staying nimble. Our days are full (morning band, morning lessons, electives, afternoon band, afternoon lessons, concert at the of the week), so students will be places in may different musical situations and we help them navigate and succeed in every one of them.

3. Our faculty. Our faculty are all performing musicians and also teach or have taught at Rutgers University, University of Miami, Rider University, Westminster Choir College, Raritan Valley Community College, and many other schools and colleges in the area.