Meet James Beckwith

Introduction

Hey, how's it going?

I'm James Beckwith, a pianist, composer, keyboard player, and producer from England, currently living in London.

Today, I'm here at Rock School to take you through various pieces in jazz, funk, pop, and some reggae.

Background

I suppose I was asked to do this because I am a jazz pianist, a profession I've been in for over 10 years.

• Education:
  • Studied at Leeds College of Music in the north of England, where I was fortunate enough to write a big band piece that won the John Dankworth Prize for composition.
  • Played in many different groups and bands there.

Afterward, I moved to London to pursue a Master's degree at Trinity, which helped me step onto the London music scene.

Since then, I have traveled the world playing music with my own band and participating in various ensembles, as well as doing numerous sessions here.

I also have my own trio, the James Beckwith Trio, which is currently recording its debut album set to be released later this year. So if you're interested, check it out!

Overview of the Lesson

Today, I'm going to guide you through elements based around jazz, pop, and funk.

What We Will Cover

So, what does that mean? Here's a breakdown:

• Taking elements from jazz, like:

  • Swing

• Incorporating aspects from funk, including:

  • Syncopation

• Exploring off beats in reggae

• Creating smooth piano lines with a pedal in pop

I will show you a real mixture of techniques along with tips and tricks to improve your playing.

Learning Goals

You will learn:

• How to approach the more difficult aspects of playing
• General musicianship skills to enhance your capabilities as a musician

This will be beneficial whether or not you are pursuing grades for Rock School.

Conclusion

I hope you can join me for this fun session as we break down these pieces, observe how I play them, and learn how to become a better musician!