There is no better place for the aspiring artist than Paris. The city is situated at the heart of Western Europe, a cultural crossroads reflecting the cosmopolitan mix that makes this city so vibrant, open, and inspiring to creative genius. One has to look no further than the listings of jazz clubs in a local newspaper to feel the breadth of the musical and cultural diversity the city has to offer. It's no wonder that so many jazz greats have made Paris their home.

At the American School of Modern Music, founded in 1982, the academic rigor of a full jazz program is coupled with the hands-on reality of playing and composing for the city's club and concert scene. The school offers a no-nonsense approach to gaining musical skills: a 3-to-5 year course of study focusing on writing, ear training, improvisation, and intensive ensembles that perform on a regular basis in Parisian venues.

Our faculty, students, and alumni represent a varied mix of instrumentalists and singers, arrangers and composers, producers and technicians, teachers and professionals in the business today.

Our approach to helping students gain musical skills is grounded in the European practice of emphasizing ear training and keyboard harmony. To play and write well, a musician must be proficient in both disciplines. Students immerse themselves in improvisation through small ensembles and regular club dates. This emphasis on honing jazz performance skills in front of audiences has helped produce an impressive array of recording and performing artists.

Classes are held in French, with brief English translations available when necessary. Perfect fluency in expression is not necessary but one should be sufficiently able to understand enough French to follow the course. Private lessons can be held in English or in another language common to both parties.

Curriculum

The school's diploma and certificate programs offer the student a complete course of study under the supervision of our American teaching staff.

• Basic Harmony and Arranging
  
• Solfege/Ear Training
  
• Instrumental Sight-Reading
  
• Elective Instrument Studies
  
• Standard Jazz Harmony and Composition
  
• Jazz Repertoire
  
• Jazz Keyboard Harmony and Chord Dictation
  
• Arranging
  
• Introduction to Improvisation
  
• Modern Jazz Harmony and Composition
  
• Improvisation in Small Ensemble
  
• Arranging for Big Band
  
• Composition (Contemporary Music)
  
• Conducting

• Songwriting and Music Production
  
• Piano – private lessons
  
• Piano for nonpianists
  
• Piano – accompaniment workshop
  
• Guitar – private lessons and group lessons
  
• Bass – private lessons and group lessons
  
• Saxophone – private lessons
  
• Drums – private lessons and group lessons
  
• Voice – private lessons
  
• Vocal Ensemble Workshop
  
• Big Band
  
• Brass Band Workshop – for non-brass players

Club Dates and Concerts

Student concerts are held at the end of each trimester, judged and graded by a jury of faculty members. These provide indispensable training for students performing before live audiences.

Master Classes

For students at all levels, the American School of Modern Music organizes workshops and master classes given by members of a network of international clinicians who are in constant contact with the school.

Program Options

• Complete Program (5 years) - Diploma or Certificate
  
• Semi-Accelerated Programs (4 years) - Diploma or Certificate
  
• Accelerated Program (3 years) - Diploma or Certificate
  
• Partial Program (3 years) - Certificate

For more information, please contact:

American School of Modern Music
www.asmm.fr
117 Rue de la Croix Nivert
Paris F-75015, France
Phone: +33 (0)1-4531-1607
Email: info@asmm.fr