Teaching
Unlocking the mysteries of improvisation step-by-step

Educational Mission:
To mentor musicians seeking greater personal expression within American musical traditions in a manner that enables students to become both capable readers and adept improvisers. - Bradley Sowash

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Teacher Training | Master Classes | Private Lessons | Church Musicians

Focus On Jazz
In Depth Piano Teacher Training Workshop

Learn to incorporate jazz into studio piano teaching.
Organize a workshop in your area!

Bradley Sowash's time-tested techniques will enliven your students' interest in music – helping your best readers get “out” of the music, and helping those who tend to play by ear get motivated to read their music with ease. Sowash has developed this successful approach to jazz piano through many years of teaching his own students, and will show you how to incorporate it alongside the method books and classical selections that you already choose for your students.

This workshop is designed specifically for traditional studio piano teachers who have little or no experience with jazz or blues but would like to integrate these styles into their teaching and playing. Through lecture, demonstration, written example, and hands-on experience, participants will learn how to integrate a teaching approach that involves personal expression, improvisation and the applied knowledge of music theory.

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Artist's Fees

It was a great workshop!!  I thought that I would be worn out and would be bored after being there all day, but it was very, very good. He has really thought this through. It was great to have someone know how to approach all of this with people who read music. - M. (piano teacher)

...unique and pedagogically beneficial. - Wendy (piano teacher)

I so much appreciated the absolutely top-quality job you did at your workshop... clear, logical, thorough, and I have retained with clarity many points you made without needing to look at the book or my notes.  Bravo & carry on!!! - (piano teacher)

Presentations for Educational Music Organizations

Improvising is for Everyone
Eye players read music. Ear players improvise. Today’s well-rounded students need instruction in both. Learn to use the basic theory and music reading you already teach as a foundation for students learning to improvise.

Learn Your Chords, Kid!
Tips from a jazz musician on making chords and scales more fun to practice and more relevant to your students' repertoire.

The Blues
Want to include some jazz in your students' lessons? Learn how to play and teach this essential American music form.

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You should know that your sessions this morning really created a stir. Many of us were intrigued about a whole other area of teaching. We appreciated the information that you presented us with humor, honesty, and clarity. You were extremely patient with us as we questioned you about the material. - Bob Vandall, OMTA district conference planner

Thanks so much again for coming up to Bowling Green [Pedagogy Workshop] to give what was a most informative and interesting workshop + fabulous performance!  All the best with your continued "bridging the gap." - Dr. Cyntha Benson, College of Musical Arts, Bowling Green State University

I really enjoyed the presentation [MTNA Conference] you gave last Sunday. I still spend most of my stage time on classical literature, but the jazz experience has proven extremely rewarding, both personally and professionally. - Jason

Master Classes

1. Piano - Do your students play music by Bradley Sowash?   Arrange a Bradley Sowash festival  and give your students the thrill of learning directly from the composer.

2. Band/Orchestra - Improvisation is an approach to making music that can be applied to any instrument or style. And you don’t have to be a genius to do it!  Every musician should know how to improvise for all kinds of conditions such as "traveling" music for ceremonies, underpinning presentations and more.  In this workshop, Sowash offers step-by-step musical tools and practical tips to get students improvising immediately. Participants are encouraged to bring their instruments, an open mind and a ready smile to this hands-on workshop.

Demonstrating rhythms on a hand drum for college student musicians

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I have never seen someone deal with the elements of Jazz in such an instantly engaging and creative way. - Barry Oreck, Ph.D., Consultant in Arts and Gifted Education, NYC

You are a master teacher, conveying your knowledge with sensitivity and patience. - Joanne Eubanks, Program Coordinator, Office of Arts Learning, Ohio Arts Council

Creative Chord Style I – Group Piano Lessons
Age Recommendation: 14 years and up through adult, limited to 12 students; students who participated in the fall session are welcome to continue and new students are welcome. Description: How would you like to play personal renditions of tunes everyone knows in just a few weeks? Nationally acclaimed jazz educator Bradley Sowash offers just enough of the basics including keyboard geography, chord construction, and minimal music reading ability to get you quickly playing best-loved songs with both hands. On the last day of class, there will be an informal performance for family and friends. No prior experience is necessary. Access to a home keyboard for practice is required.

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Jazz Workshop
Play in a student jazz combo with professional coaching.

Students jam with faculty

 

Snapping to get students on the beat

Meets at:
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 700 High St, Worthington, OH 43085

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Jazz was great this year.  It was good to be able to play with different coaches and see different learning and musical styles.  Your Jazz Workshop was, in fact, Jazzin! - Caleb (age 17)

I think everyone enjoyed the jazz session last night. Lots of great information and the kids seemed to catch on. You have a terrific way of sharing the information step by step and making it all relate and be fun! - Cassie, (student parent)

The concert was fabulous! Always amazes me what you get out of these musicians in such a short practice time. - Melanie (student parent)

Summer Jazz Improvisation & Theory Intensive
Bone up on the inner workings of music for a week in Columbus, Ohio in July.

Jazz Workshop, Summer Session 2007

Every musician's "toolbox" should include a basic understanding of intervals, scales, and harmony. Playing music without this knowledge is like building a house without a hammer and saw.   Knowing "how music works" leads to a deeper interpretation of written music even as it opens the doors towards creating your own music.  Don't go to your grave with your music still inside you.

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Just want to thank you for a great week. It was the first time my son, Scott, has done anything like it and he really enjoyed it. Concert today was just great.  What a gift to be able to make music like that. - Carol B. (parent)

Thank you for the years of Jazz, for the encouragement and advice.  Maybe I have enjoyed Jazz because you can play and study, and practice, and still there is always room to improve, change and grow. At Jazz I am open-ended.  Thank you for teaching me "an approach to making music." - Caleb (violinist, summer before college)

Advanced Private Lessons
The best way to study jazz is one on one with an experienced teacher.

Requirements
I mentor intermediate to advanced musicians on any instrument wishing to expand their skills in jazz, improvisation, theory and composition. I prefer new students to be 12 or older and already know how to play at least the major scales (minor also is even better), be able to read moderately well and have a genuine interest in jazz and improvisation as opposed to turning to jazz only because they are bored with traditional lessons (jazz is harder).  The first lesson is an evaluation to see if the student is ready for jazz and, if they are, for me to find out what they know and don’t know so I won’t be redundant with their previous experience. It's also for the student to evaluate whether what I offer is consistent with their goals.

Teaching Philosophy
I teach an equal balance between the eye and the ear so that all students become capable readers and improvisers. The repertoire is ¼ classical and ¾ jazz. I also assign technical exercises and music theory along the way. Students must understand that, ultimately, musicians teach themselves through consistent practice, listening, reading and investigation. With only two lessons per month, I see my job as providing inspiration and corrections as well as pointing the way toward improvement.

Nitty Gritty
I teach a one-hour lesson every other week scheduled between 1:00 and 5:30 Tuesday - Thursday. I don't teach weekends or evenings. A commitment is required for the academic year running from the beginning of September through the end of June consisting of 20 lessons scheduled every other week. 

20 one-hour lessons = $1300 which can be paid $434 per semester.

A La Carte Lessons
Intermittent "a la carte" lessons can be arranged without a long term commitment. A la carte lessons are scheduled as needed and subject to availability.   Payment is required at each lesson. There are no make-ups for a la carte lessons.

60-minute a la carte lessons = $75 per lesson

  Check the studio calendar for openings or cancellations.  Then, get in touch to see what can be arranged.

Download Studio Policy

Video: Why Study Jazz?

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Studio calendar

McKenna is loving piano right now - probably the most I've seen. I truly believe that is in large part due to you - the acceptance of her goofy, fun loving, creative side, your love for the music and a great deal of fun while still learning tons.  It is so fun to watch. Again thanks! - LD (parent)

...yesterday we had our rehearsal with the songs you and I worked on during my lesson. With your suggestions (and a lot of practice) I was able to play the songs with the right feel and not get all hung up on playing it note for note.   Thanks for all your help. - Lisa (praise band musician)

You have helped me develop my skills and encouraged me to fulfill a lifelong dream. I really could not put a price on that! - Don (adult student)

...everything I've written, I remember something you taught me.  You're a damn good teacher, and I hope your students realize how crazygood you are. - Pam (pro singer/arranger)

...It was like he walked through the wardrobe door into Narnia and discovered a world he had only dreamt of before! Just your statement that "There's more than one way to play a song" was enough to intrigue him. - LC (parent)

Workshop for Church Musicians and Worship Planners

This track offers traditional church musicians first-hand experience in Latin, Gospel and Jazz keyboard styles, hands-on instruction in improvisation, tips on interpreting choral jazz and consideration for directing a church-based jazz combo. Additionally, practical suggestions for worship planning will be addressed including sample liturgies, hymn suggestions, printed music resources, where to find musicians, using jazz for outreach and why concerns about congregational misgivings are unfounded. Participants will leave this session with new ideas and techniques that can be put to use as early as next Sunday.

United Church of Christ Ohio Conference

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