The DJAM curriculum

Below you find an overwiew of all subjects of the DJAM curriculum:

Combo:

The combo lessons are the core of the curriculum at DJAM, where you can use all your skills from the other lessons by playing together, improvising and studying pieces and arrangements.

Besides arrangements of jazz standards, pieces are also taught which are specially composed for the different levels at DJAM. The various combos will give a short performance during the Christmas concert and open house/closing concert.

Play-along cd's containing all the pieces treated during lessons (part of the lesson materials) will be made available for students, as well a mp3 cd containing original recordings of (for example) jazz standards (part of the lesson materials).

The various combos will give a short performance during the Christmas concert and open house/closing concert.

Duration: prep. level to level 2: one lesson á 90 minutes a week; level 3: one lesson á 130 minutes a week; advanced level: one lesson á 180 minutes a week

Watch performances of diverse DJAM combos on [Youtube]

Music theory:

Here we build a theoretical basis to support active music making. We have written a theory book (part of the DJAM lesson materials) containing all the material you need for these lessons. This book can be used throughout your studies at DJAM.

AMV (General music education): A combination of music theory and ear-training given at a beginners level. Duration: One lesson á 90 minutes a week
Harmony: Expansion of your knowledge on the theoretical level and the development of techniques that will provide you with greater insight into music. Duration: One lesson á 50 minutes every other week
ATV (Advanced theory class): Connecting various different topics and exploring them in depth, such as improvisation, analysis, philosophical aspects, etc. A continuation of lower-level theory classes. Duration: One lesson á 90 minutes a week

Improvisation:

The point of these lessons is to develop and structure your musical ideas and learning to tell a story with music as the means of communication. We have written a book (part of the DJAM lesson materials) containing all the material you need for these lessons. This book can be used throughout your studies at DJAM.

Duration: One lesson á 50 minutes every other week

Ear-training:

The development of the inner ear is by far the most important thing in these lessons; a well-developed inner ear is indispensable for any sensible approach to making music. Play-along cd's and reading materials (part of the lesson materials) are available for the ear-training lessons.

Duration: One lesson á 50 minutes every other week

Rhythmic training: Learning to recognize rhythmic structures in music through physical experience, performance, coordination and notation.
HAP (Harmony at the piano): Acquiring basic skills at the piano and developing an understanding of tonal quality, chord structures and notation.

SEL (Voice And Body):

Classes divided in different workshop-modules--improvisation, body consciousness, body-percussion and stage presentation--which each take 4 to 6 weeks.

Duration: One lesson á 60 minutes a week

Instrumental lessons (main subject):

These are individual lessons dealing with the student's specific instrument. Main subject lessons complement the subject matter of the other lessons and generally guide you through your musical development. Main subject lessons can be taken for any instrument.

Duration: One lesson á 50 minutes a week

Subjects per week and level:

Subject Level	Combo	AMV	Harmony / Improvisation	ATV	Ear-training	SEL	Main subject
Preparatory
I
II
III
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