JAZZ GUITAR
FOUNDATION COURSE
Pre-Academic Jazz Guitar Course
The Pre-Academic Jazz Guitar Program at Saint Louis College of Music is a preparatory program designed to develop technical and musical skills specific to the instrument in the context of jazz. Students gradually develop the skills necessary to continue their studies in the subsequent Bachelor’s Degree Program in Jazz Guitar.
The course is designed for guitarists who wish to strengthen their playing technique, deepen their understanding of jazz, and gradually expand their knowledge of the repertoire. The curriculum focuses on the study of accompaniment and improvisation, with particular emphasis on comping, musical interaction, and the balance between structured and improvised parts within the ensemble.
The program consists of individual jazz guitar lessons, supplemented by ensemble activities and guided study of the musical and theoretical aspects related to the instrument. The pre-academic program represents the initial phase of a progressive educational path that leads, upon completion of the three-year program and successful completion of the required assessments, to direct admission to the Jazz Guitar Bachelor’s Degree Program at Saint Louis.
Duration 1 to 3 years, depending on entry level
Attendance 6 to 10 hours per week, in regular or long-distance mode, depending on the curriculum and student need
Where Rome, Saint Louis College of Music
Language Italian and English
Admission Process: Placement Test to Assess Initial Skills
The Pre-Academic Course in Jazz Guitar lasts between 1 and 3 years, depending on the student’s entry level and pace of learning. The curriculum is structured to ensure the progressive development of technical, musical, and theoretical skills.
The program follows a gradual progression that consolidates instrumental technique, develops harmonic and rhythmic awareness, and strengthens the ability to interact musically within an ensemble. At the end of the third pre-academic year, after passing the required exams, the student is admitted directly to the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Jazz Guitar at Saint Louis, continuing the educational path they have begun.
During the pre-academic Jazz Guitar course, students acquire skills in the following areas:
- Lezioni individuali di Chitarra Jazz. A personalized program focused on developing instrumental technique, accompaniment, improvisation, and jazz vocabulary, with a teacher chosen by the student.
- Ensemble Jazz. Ensemble music activities—ranging from trios to quintets—led by professional jazz musicians, with the goal of performing American, Italian, and international jazz repertoire both in the studio and live.
- Armonia jazz contemporanea. Study of the main harmonic structures used for accompaniment, improvisation, and musical interaction within an ensemble.
- Jazz Ear Training. Development of listening and transcription skills for melodies and harmonic progressions drawn from the jazz repertoire.
- Improvvisazione Jazz. A progressive study of improvisational techniques applied to the jazz repertoire, with a particular focus on phrasing, the conscious use of scales and arpeggios, and the relationship between harmonic structure and melodic development.
- Sezione Ritmica Jazz. A study of the guitar’s role within the rhythm section, with a focus on comping, interaction with the bass and drums, and the management of dynamics and time feel.
-
Lettura per chitarristi. In-depth study of rhythmic, melodic, and polyphonic reading in various keys and time signatures, with sight-reading exercises and application to accompaniment parts and chord melodies.
- Music Technology. Use of the main music production software programs for individual study and practice in the field of jazz.
Upon successful completion of the Pre-Academic Course in Jazz Guitar, students are directly admitted to the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Jazz Guitar, a degree recognized by the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) and awarded by Saint Louis College of Music.
The subsequent three-year program will provide students with a structured, in-depth exploration of the language of jazz and enable them to develop artistic and professional skills geared toward concert performance, studio production, and participation in jazz and contemporary music projects.
Career Opportunities for Graduates of the Jazz Guitar Degree Program
-
Professional jazz guitarist for live performances, concerts, tours, and recording sessions in the fields of jazz and improvised music.
-
An artist and bandleader of original jazz projects, playing an active role in musical direction, ensemble management, and repertoire selection.
-
Arranger for small and medium-sized jazz ensembles, with a particular focus on writing for guitar and striking a balance between accompaniment and improvised parts.
-
Music producer involved in the development, production, and pre-production of jazz projects in the recording and independent music industries.
-
Author of music for soundtracks and music applied to images, with a jazz language applied to audiovisual, digital media and multimedia content.
The Pre-Academic Jazz Guitar Program at Saint Louis College of Music does not start from scratch; it requires prior instrumental experience and a basic understanding of musical theory. The program is designed for guitarists who wish to systematically build their jazz training through a progressive curriculum that enables them to develop the skills necessary for admission to the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Jazz Piano.
Entrance test and pathway customization
Students may enroll in the first year or be admitted directly to the second or third pre-academic year, depending on the level of preparation demonstrated during the entrance exam.
For each subject, students are placed in the level that best matches their skill level. It is therefore possible, for example, to take an advanced guitar class, an intermediate harmony class, and a beginner ear training class. Each subject follows an independent, progressive curriculum tailored to the student’s actual level, ensuring a coherent and personalized education.
How the entrance test is conducted
Entrance exams for the pre-academic jazz courses are held:
-
in June
-
In September, exclusively for any places still available
The entrance test evidence includes:
- Jazz Guitar Audition: performance of one or more pieces of the student’s choice and additional pieces requested by the Committee (see the admission program by clicking on“Download Study Plan”)
- Jazz Harmony test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of harmony
- Ear training test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of ear training
- Aptitude interview aimed at assessing the student’s profile, awareness of the chosen path, and motivation
