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 guide you through jazz, funk, pop, and some reggae pieces.

Background

I suppose I was asked to do this because I'm a jazz pianist. I've been doing that professionally for over 10 years.

• 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.
• During my time there, I played in many different groups and bands.
• I later moved to London to complete a Master's degree at Trinity, which helped me enter the vibrant London scene.

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

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

Today's Lesson

Today, we're focusing on material based around jazz, pop, and funk. What does that entail?

• Jazz: We'll incorporate elements like swing.
• Funk: Expect to explore syncopation.
• Reggae: We'll look at off-beats.
• Pop: Smooth piano lines with pedal techniques.

I'm going to show you a real mixture of things, along with tips and tricks to:

• Improve your technique
• Tackle the more challenging aspects of playing
• Showcase general musicianship to enhance your overall performance

Whether or not you're working towards Rock School grades, my goal is to help you play better as a musician.

I hope you'll join me for a fun session as we break down these pieces, see how I approach them, and learn together to become better musicians!