This course is designed to teach you the rudiments of tonal and modal harmony and of composition, based on jazz harmony, which forms the harmonic foundation of modern Latin music. We will focus on harmonic progressions and composition techniques, through the analysis of harmonies and exercises in composition.

We will also examine precise and efficient ways of writing music down, including by using musical notation software, and transcription techniques, based on examples from the Latin music repertoire.

This course follows on from the ISAAC musical theory course and is preparation for the school's arrangement course.

There will be weekly homework, designed to reinforce what has been learnt in class, and an assessment at the end of every term to see how you are progressing.

Goals: Learn the different harmonic and melodic techniques used in tonal music, as well as how to compose music (chords and melody format).

Evaluation: Continuous assessement consisting of weekly homework and quarterly assessments. We will play the arrangements you write as homework in class.

Duration: 30 90-minute sessions

Designed for: All musicians who understand the treble clef, basic chord structure and the basic rules used in music.

Daniel Stawinski

Daniel Stawinski is an accomplished pianist, arranger and composer. He has played with Lukmil Perez, Felix Toca, Kenny Martin and Diego Pinera; Aida Khan's Afro-jazz quartet, Deldongo's salsa orchestra and the Latin Jazz ensemble led by Alfredo Hechavarria (former bassist with Issac Delgado and Diakara).

He has performed in numerous festivals, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Enghien Jazz Festival and the Klavier-Festival Ruhr. As well as being a professional pianist, Daniel is a versatile composer and arranger: he writes for jazz ensembles, salsa orchestras, and variety singers from France and abroad.