Esteban Gassmann

I studied jazz violin and improvisation with Swiss violinist Sophie Lussi in Buenos Aires, Argentina (2009-2014). I also studied harmony and linear improvisation in the Jazz department at the J.B. Massa Municipal School of Music in Rosario, Argentina. Additionally, I participated in courses and workshops led by renowned jazz musicians, including Ernesto Jodos, Juan Cruz de Urquiza, and Paula Schocron.

In 2015, I received a scholarship to attend the 4th National Meeting of Improvisation and Musical Composition in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I furthered my studies with online jazz violin classes with swiss violinist Eva Slongo (2017) and improvisation classes with multi-instrumentalist Marcelo Moguilevsky (2020-2023).

Over the past few years, I have taught various jazz violin and improvisation workshops, both in-person at institutions in Córdoba and the National University of Tucumán, Argentina, and virtually to students worldwide.

In general, it can be frustrating to approach learning this music for us violinists, given our classical academic training. Studying improvisation on the violin is a process that we must navigate with pleasure and patience.

One of the main differences between this music and what we typically play on the violin (due to our academic training) lies in the rhythm. In the early classes, we begin working on:

- Approaching the swing feel.

- Understanding and practicing the articulation of eighth notes.

- Beginning to study improvisation.

- Exercises to develop harmonic reading and improvising with chords.

Let´s improvise on a jazz standard!!