LESSONS

for modern piano

Pop/Rock and Jazz Fundamentals

Chord Theory

Improvisation

Music Technology

& More

6 Week Lesson Package

- April/March 2025 Only

- Weekly 50 minute piano lessons

- Lessons provided at your home, or at school for Kildare students

- Beginning Saturday 1st March through to mid April

- FREE Wicked Keys book

All learning materials provided: students will work through techniques from several of the Wicked Keys books and will be provided a FREE print copy of one Wicked Keys book of their choice


LOCATION

  • James will be travelling to students homes in Wagga - available as far out as Springvale/Estella

  • During school hours on location at Kildare Catholic College for students enrolled at Kildare

Your Teacher

James Baker is a versatile and well-rounded musician with a career spanning multiple disciplines having worked on stage, in the studio, and in the pit since he was 15

  • As a Green Room Award Winning Musical Director and accompanist, he has been responsible for vocal coaching, band leading, and performing in musicals and cabarets on stages as far-flung as Melbourne, Australia, and Edinburgh, UK

  • As a hired gun, he has worked extensively as a session musician in recording studios and as a regular keyboardist for corporate bands and theatre-based tribute & original shows

  • As a composer, he has written and recorded original music for cabaret and theatre, with his compositions heard by audiences at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

  • As a student, he studied under the excellent tutelage of renowned Melbourne musicians Marina Kostromin, Darren Wicks, and Jack Pantazis at NMIT (now Melbourne Polytechnic)

  • As an educator, he has taught one-on-one contemporary piano lessons for over a decade and has worked as an accompanist, band leader, and musical director with over 100 Music 1 HSC students for their final performance exams

  • As a musician, he knows his craft and understands the critical skills musicians need in today’s industry

We take on students from many backgrounds:

- Adult and teen beginners

- Pop/Rock/Jazz band musicians wanting to juice up their sound

- Classical pianists wanting to tackle the unique intricacies of contemporary music

- School and university students developing their modern playing chops in solo, accompanying, and band situations

- Music 1 HSC students in NSW developing their final exam performance program

The common denominator is a love of modern music, an open mind, and a willingness to learn

  • Unlock the secrets of chords to elevate your piano playing:

    • Master common chord voicings to add richness and depth to your sound.
    • Discover useful chord hacks that simplify complex progressions.
    • Explore passing chords and reharmonization techniques to create sophisticated transitions.
    • Build a versatile "playing vocabulary" where these concepts flow naturally into your music, enhancing your creativity and confidence.

  • Leverage technology to expand your musical possibilities:

    • Learn to program keyboard patches from basic setups to advanced configurations tailored to your needs.
    • Get hands-on experience with notation software, making sheet music and charts a breeze.
    • Dive into the essentials of DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) recording software, from setup to multitrack recordings.
    • Explore strategies for utilizing computers in live performances, ensuring seamless integration into your setup.

  • Bridging traditional and contemporary approaches to music reading:

    • Learn to read and interpret traditional sheet music with confidence.
    • Get fluent in reading and writing modern chord charts and lead sheets, the foundation of contemporary music.
    • Apply your knowledge of chord theory and improvisation to enhance your interpretation and performance of written music.

  • Adapt your playing to any performance scenario:

    • Develop solo piano techniques to fill every gap, creating a full and engaging sound.
    • Learn how to accompany a vocalist or instrumentalist, respecting their musical space while enhancing the performance.
    • Understand the dynamics of band playing, mastering the art of restraint where "less is more."

  • The art of improvisation is essential to contemporary styles like pop, rock, and jazz:

    • Develop the skills to listen, react, and create in the moment, making your performances dynamic and engaging.
    • Learn how to manipulate scales and modes to craft unique melodies.
    • Use chord tones and stylistic techniques to build improvised phrases that suit various genres.
    • Gain confidence improvising in any setting, whether you're soloing or jamming with a group.

  • Unlock the unique sounds and capabilities of your instruments:

    • Program a perfect FX chain for a sparkling, iconic Rhodes sound.
    • Fine-tune your Wurlitzer to get that classic, punchy tone.
    • Shape your Hammond organ sound using drawbars and explore advanced techniques like palm glisses and held tones.
    • Make your piano cut through the mix in any setting, whether live or recorded.
    • Learn the basics of sound design to create unique synth patches that reflect your style.
    • Master layering and splitting techniques to combine multiple sounds for performance or production.
    • Discover the secrets to creating a powerful, phat sound that commands attention.

Questions?

Shoot us a message below or fire off an email to james@jamesbakermusic.com