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About Jazclass
Jazclass has been online since October 1995 and continues to go from strength to strength.
In recognition of its "cultural and artistic value" Jazclass was one of the first websites monitored and archived in its entirety by the National Library of Australia.
Jazclass attracts an ever increasing number of visitors, currently (2007) at the rate of approximately 100,000 individual student sessions each month. The vast majority of visitors (currently 96%) return to Jazclass for further study again and again.
You can enjoy the Jazclass lessons in four different ways.
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HELP! - Where do I start ??
First check out a few of the free Jazclass lessons online. This will give you a good idea of the approach used in all my books and courses.
If you like what you see you may decide to purchase some of the Jazclass products.
Here are a few scenarios to help you make the right selection.
If this does not help drop me an email with your details and requirements.
- "I play a little, not good at reading music, like to learn about chords and the blues".
The Chords Basics and Blues Basics are ideal for you.
You can alternate between the two courses : a Chords Lesson one week, a Blues lesson the next.
This provides a good mix between theory and playing. Both Courses use note letter names for notation, which is very easy to follow, and the regular lesson schedule helps you to actually study and practise.
(Optional extra or alternative, provided you can read music, are the Chords Book 1 and the Blues Book)
- "I like to learn Blues and Jazz, but am on a small budget".
The Blues Basics and Improvisation Courses would be your best choice.
You receive one new lesson each week or each 14 days. This helps you to practise. Each Lesson includes at least one new song.
- "I want to learn Jazz improvisation, and also more about music".
I recommend the very popular Jazclass Improvisation Package.
It consists of the Blues Basics - Improvisation - Jazz Theory, Jam Factory and Rhythm Class Courses on CD or as Download. This gives you a very comprehensive resource to get right on top of it all.
- "I have followed the Jazclass email courses. Now what ?!"
You mean you are really ready for more punishment?
Then try the new Jam Factory Course. Twenty more sessions for study and improvisation. Each session includes :- one new song - musical aspects of each song are analysed
- a new aspect to improve your improvisation skill is introduced, and
- a practice assignment for each week is provided.
- "I want to improve my Instrumental Technique (Piano or Saxophone)".
No matter how long you have played, 6 months or 30 years, the Piano Technique or Saxophone Course will change the way you relate to your instrument forever!
These Courses provide you with a clear concept of what a good technique consists of and why that is so. It then outlines exactly what to practise and how to practise it. Extensive practice material for you to print out is included.
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Michael's Resume
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Student, Soldier, Scientist, Explorer and Business man
I was born in Holland a long long time ago (in 1937 in fact) and studied Geology at Leiden
University. I completed my MSc and 2 years compulsory army training as a commissioned
officer in the Dutch Field Artillery, and then came to Australia in 1966.
During
the following 15 years I worked as a Geologist on mining-, civil construction- and
research- projects throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea.
I returned to Holland, after the sudden death of my father in 1981, to run the family business in jewellery wholesale for 3 years.
Music student in Adelaide
Upon my return to Australia in 1983 I completely switched direction in life, turning
all my energy into full time music study. I enrolled at the Jazz Dept. of Adelaide
University (formerly South Australian College of Advanced Education, 'SACAE') on saxophone and started private lessons on classical
piano.
Soon I started playing in small ensembles, Jazz bands and Concert bands. I practised
and studied at Adelaide Uni. flat out for 6 years.
My analytical skills, developed during my previous profession as a scientist, quickly
started to focus on my new field of interest. This for better or for worse, has made
me into a musician with a difference.
Almost as much as music itself I enjoy understanding the principles that underlie music and instrumental technique. I am passionate about
passing on my knowledge to those who want to learn.
My first Music books
I published my first textbook 'Overtone Practice on the Saxophone' in 1986, followed
by 'Scales and Arpeggios for the Jazz Pianist' in 1988.
I wrote a 'Jazz Piano Syllabus' for the Australian Guild of Music and Speech (AGMS) in 1989, and a 'Jazz Keyboard Technique Syllabus' for the SACAE. in 1990. I also lectured on Jazz keyboard at the SACAE, Saxophone technique at the Rotterdam Conservatory in Holland, and did Jazz workshops for music teachers in South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales.
Having a great time on the Sunshine Coast
I moved to Queensland's Sunshine Coast in 1991, teaching private students on piano,
sax, flute, clarinet, piano-accordion, Jazz and Improvisation. I wrote four more
books in 1993 and 1994.
These are the 'All About' music book series. New Editions were published in 1998.
Early in 1997 I completed a new Jazz & Blues Keyboard Syllabus for the AGMS in Australia.
This is a 4 unit course (Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7). It teaches the basic skills of Jazz, Blues and Improvisation.
Since 1998 maintaining and improving Jazclass has become my full time
occupation. I continue to write new lessons and songs for release online or publication on CD-ROM. Besides the current 4 books there are 3 email courses and 6 courses on CD-ROM available, and there is more to follow.
Travelling around Australia
After 10 happy years at the Sunshine Coast I suddenly felt like a change and moved to tropical Darwin in 2001.
From November 2002 onwards I have been camping and travelling by car around Australia, while maintaining Jazclass from my iBook and mobile office (a Mercedes Vito).
I find travelling through the vast Australian outback always a unique experience. It gives me peace, a deeper connection with the Universe in which we live, inspiration and loads of renewed energy.
Since 2004 I have established a regular pattern of spending the cool Southern hemisphere winter months (April to October) in tropical Darwin.
Then in November I drive across to the Pacific Ocean and stay most of the summer at Mooloolaba on SE Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
In Darwin I am heavily involved with the Darwin Sailing Club, helping to run the weekly races (including the Tasar World Championships in July 2005). I also perform on keyboard there each week on Saturday evenings while watching the magical sunsets over Fannie Bay (part of Darwin Harbour).
Rest assured that throughout my travels I am online every day to maintain Jazclass, to answer your questions, and to serve the ever increasing number of happy and very satisfied customers.
I feel strongly that wherever I am during my travels you are always in spirit with me.
Michael.
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Copyright © 1996 - 2007 Michael Furstner. All rights reserved.
