MEhr Clef - Absolute Jazz Education
Based in London, United Kingdom, MEhr Clef organizes Jazz courses, Masterclasses, Workshops, Tuition and Live Jazz Events. Everyone involved in the organization is an experienced musician/performer and teacher and has, first and foremost, students’ and musicians' interests at heart.
Courses and workshops are tailored to cater for all ability levels, from beginners to professionals, and offer excellent performance and networking opportunities.
MEhr Clef is proud to be working with some of the very best Jazz educators in the UK who, between them, have many years experience both as tutors and performers of international repute, and have trained some of the finest Jazz professionals on the British Jazz scene.
Go to News at the top of the page for MEhr Clef successes and What The Students Say for student feedback.
Why MEhr Clef - A Student's View
MEhr Clef Jazz Summer School– by Ruby Riley
It was the summer of 2007 when I first attended the MEhr Clef summer course and my life since has changed irrevocably. A shy 14 year old, who had been classically trained but had little jazz experience, I sat in the opening assessment session of the jazz course and was nervous of spending a week away in this intensive and challenging environment.
In my first MEhr Clef year I was in the beginners group, and the amount I learned about jazz, theory, performance and practicing is inestimable. The course curriculum includes jazz studies lessons for your respective instrument, group improvisation sessions, repertoire development, performance technique, aural, harmony, rhythm, big band and small band workshops and free jazz. What epitomizes the uniqueness of MEhr Clef is how the evenings are spent: students have the opportunity to organize their own bands for public performances in the bar each night. This allows them to make their own music choices and rehearse their band before and after the formal teaching sessions.
At first this seemed daunting, but in fact it enables students to be sociable, creative and real musicians. The independence and choice of music is freeing and educational, as students share their ideas of songs and styles, and gives everyone the opportunity to lead and play in their own band, which fills them with a great sense of responsibility and pride in their performance.
The evening performance is invaluable as it allows students to explore the skills and ideas they have developed throughout the day, perform in their own band to a live audience with like-minded musicians who share their passion. It is also a great time to socialize and unite with the others on the course through music and talk.
What has struck me the most about MEhr Clef, and never ceases to amaze me, is the quality and standard of teaching and musicianship. The course caters for a huge range of students, from beginners to advanced. For beginners, the course is never frightening or undermining; the atmosphere is one of support and encouragement from teachers and students alike. It is also ideal for advanced students whose skills are developed further and strengthened. Many who have attended are the most talented young musicians I have ever met, some of whom moved on to, or intend to audition for, the most prestigious music colleges in the country to study jazz. So far everyone I know who has auditioned has successfully gained an undergraduate study place. Since 2009 the course curriculum also includes audition technique/mock audition session, which those who attended found extremely useful as preparation for their real interviews for the limited number of competitive places at the various music academies.
The tutors are internationally renowned Jazz musicians and teachers and their dedication, passion and skill is outstanding. They go above and beyond what is expected of them as teachers, often running over time, jamming with the students in the evening, and even giving private lessons outside of the course. They offer precious experience as musicians who have been everywhere, seen everyone and played everything, and are characterized by their enthusiasm, dedication, openness, and unbelievable talent. MEhr Clef is not just a course, but extends way beyond the magical week into the students’ lives. They care outstandingly for their students after the course, arranging open mic/jam sessions and gigs like Ealing Jazz Festival, Maidstone Jazz Festival, 606 Club, Battersea Barge, etc. and provide networking opportunities.