Welcome to the Music Lesson

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 reggae.

About Me

• Experience: I've been a jazz pianist for over 10 years professionally.
• Education: I 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. I also played in many different groups and bands during that time.
• Journey: After that, I came to London to pursue a Master's at Trinity and immersed myself in the London music scene. Since then, I've traveled the world playing music with my own band and collaborating with various ensembles, as well as doing numerous sessions in London.

Current Projects

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

Lesson Overview

Today, we'll explore a blend of jazz, pop, and funk elements:

• Jazz: Swing rhythms
• Funk: Syncopation
• Reggae: Off-beat accents
• Pop: Smooth piano lines using the pedal

I'm going to provide you with a real mixture of techniques, tips, and tricks to improve your playing. We'll cover:

• Approaching the more difficult aspects of performance
• Developing general musicianship to enhance your abilities
• Helpful insights whether you are pursuing grades with Rock School or just looking to become a better musician.

I hope you can join me! Together, we can have a lot of fun breaking down these pieces, exploring my playing style, and learning to be better musicians.