Workshop entitled: “Improvisation in Jazz Music with a Focus on Rhythm and Phrasing”

As part of Helwan University’s Faculty of Music Education’s efforts to promote musical culture, enhance artistic sensitivity, and cultivate musical appreciation within society, the Faculty’s Cultural Relations Committee, in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Cairo, organized a workshop entitled:

“Improvisation in Jazz Music with a Focus on Rhythm and Phrasing”

The workshop took place on Wednesday and Thursday, November 20 and 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the new theater of the Faculty of Music Education – Zamalek.

The workshop was held under the patronage of:

• Prof. Dr. El-Sayed Kandil – President of Helwan University
• Prof. Dr. Emad Abou El-Dahab – Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Research
• Prof. Dr. Sherine Abdel Latif – Dean of the Faculty of Music Education
• Prof. Dr. Magda El-Afifi – Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research

The Cultural Relations Committee of the Faculty was responsible for the full preparation and organization of the workshop. The committee includes:

• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdelkader
• Dr. Rasha Shehata
• Dr. Marwan Fawzy
• Dr. Doaa Soliman
• Dr. Maha Samy
• Dr. Amr El-Baz
• Dr. Reem Kandil
• Dr. Hala Fouad
• Assistant Lecturer Ahmed Faiz
• Teaching Assistant Moamen Mostafa

Workshop Objectives:

• Introducing the history, types, and characteristics of Jazz music.
• Analyzing and studying rhythmic elements and their role in building musical phrases in Jazz music.
• Listening to live Jazz performances and analyzing their lyrics and musical techniques.
• Developing students’ musical and vocal improvisation skills.
• Strengthening cultural and artistic ties between Egypt and Germany through direct musical interaction.

The workshop was conducted by the German duo:

• Jens Loh – Double Bass Player
• Laura Kipp – Singer and Composer

The duo began the workshop by introducing themselves and discussing various approaches to composing Jazz music. They performed two contrasting Jazz songs: one from the Jazz classics and the other from their own compositions, allowing participants to analyze the artistic and technical differences between them.

Day One:

A group of students was selected to participate in ensemble performances and free improvisation using various instruments, including piano, bass guitar, oud, drums, along with vocal performances. Students also engaged with the song “All We Ever Tried”, applying melodic and rhythmic improvisation techniques.

Day Two:

The focus shifted to exploring the differences between Even Eighths and Swing performance styles, with clear explanations of concepts such as syncopation and altering the strong beats within a bar. These techniques were applied through the song “The Shadow of Your Smile”, used as a model for Hard Swing. Students also participated in building musical phrases by repeating short melodic motifs and creating musical dialogues among themselves.

Attendance:

The workshop was attended by approximately 50 undergraduate and postgraduate students, particularly those studying piano, clarinet, drums, oud, bass guitar, and daf, in addition to students specializing in vocal performance. Several faculty members and teaching assistants also actively participated, enriching the workshop with their contributions and artistic interaction.

This workshop is part of the Faculty of Music Education’s ongoing efforts to connect students with modern global musical trends and provide live, interactive educational experiences that prepare them to confidently engage in the fields of performance, composition, and improvisation with professionalism.