Jazz requires a rare mix of playing experience and pedagogical expertise. Very few Jazz instructors have experience in both, but without balance between the practical and pedagogical, the chances of students making progress in their studies is not so likely.
Teaching Jazz is not easy, nor is learning it. Fortunately, a small number of Jazz educators fall into the teacher/player category. Each one will have his or her method of teaching. Due to the required level of experience, knowledge and teaching skill, you'll usually pay for it, but in the end, finding the right teacher can be the difference between years and years no-progress lessons, or getting on to a path of profound emotional change.
This said, one of the first questions that my students ask me is, "How long will it take me to get good." Realistically speaking, there is only one honest answer to this question: A lifetime, but like life in general we set goals, live in the moment and work on things ones step at a time. The fact is this: This artist who claims to have attained perfect mastery, in reality, may be a master craftsman, but is no longer an artist.
My initial goals for most students; therefore, are as follows: 1) Get them to the point that Jazz becomes a native language and fundamental part of themselves. 2) Get them to the point that they become more at ease presenting and sharing their creative message with others. 3) Get them to the point that they can become self sufficient learners and no longer need teachers such as myself.
The process required to reach these goals is definitely "the road less travelled": It involves embracing and eventually abandoning select creative traditions. As my students follow this path they will undoubtedly experience profound personal change, as inevitably they grapple with the timeless question of the best way to chase after unattainable perfection, become seasoned, and come up with their own answer to the question as to what authenticity and excellence are to be defined as in a virtually undefinable field.
It all begins with the first lesson. Please come join me for this journey today! Go here to get started...