Flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny presents MELODIC MASTERY, a jazz improvisation workshop for aspiring musicians of all ages.

Based on the teachings of his mentor, jazz legend Art Farmer, Matheny advocates a lyrical, melodic approach to jazz which stands in stark contrast to the chord scale and pattern-based methods currently in vogue.

“Your solo is an opportunity to express something entirely new and profoundly personal,” Matheny says. “Create your own melody. Tell your own story. Sing your own song! This is no time for plugging in recycled, memorized material.”

In this two-hour workshop, presented in three parts, Matheny explores the mental processes that take place while playing a jazz solo and the skills required for true improvisation.
With an emphasis on deep listening and jazz-as-conversation, part one of the workshop outlines the elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, tone, timbre and form) from the soloist’s perspective, and why the melody should be your guide when improvising.
In part two, Matheny explains how to spontaneously create your own melodies and develop them in real time through a series of simple or complex harmonic changes. He provides recorded examples, demonstrates specific techniques on his horn, and shares relevant anecdotes from his professional career and years of tutelage under jazz legend Art Farmer.
In part three, Matheny discusses the importance of developing your own personal sound and style of playing, and offers some practical advice to keep in mind on your journey.
Celebrated for his warm tone, soaring lyricism and masterful technique, American musician Dmitri Matheny has been lauded as “the first breakthrough flugelhornist since Chuck Mangione” (San Jose Mercury News). Matheny is an honors graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and the Berklee College of Music, Boston. First introduced to jazz audiences in the 1990s as the protégé of Art Farmer, Matheny has matured into “one of the jazz world’s most talented horn players” (SF Chronicle), touring internationally and releasing nine critically acclaimed CDs.

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This workshop with internationally-renowned jazz guitarist Rale Micic covers: 

• common jazz reharmonization techniques
• application of these techniques to the guitar
• examples of creative harmony by contemporary guitarists (Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Mick Goodrick, Kurt Rosenwinkel)
• finding new ways to develop and apply new chord voicings
• application of creative harmony in linear improvisation
• use of conceptual approaches to rhythm, melody, and harmony
• use of creative harmony in development of original style

 Participants will be able to use harmonic concepts and techniques to further advance their playing, as well as to develop an original style.

For intermediate to advanced jazz guitarists. Students should have basic knowledge of harmony and scales (major, minor and symmetric).

Sunday July 7, 2 – 4 pm

$30 advance purchase/$45 day of the workshop

In 1995, Rale migrated to the United States from Serbia upon receiving a scholarship from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he was mentored by the legendary guitarist Mick Goodrick (instructor to guitarists Pat Metheny and John Scofield). 

Rale is a CTA Records recording artist and has been featured in numerous publications including DownBeat and JazzTimes. He has performed at prominent jazz clubs and music festivals in the US and Europe.

On his latest album, 3, Rale explores the interaction between his musical roots in Serbia and his extensive knowledge of jazz with his trio consisting of New York’s hottest rhythm section, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Gregory Hutchinson.