Teaching
Unlocking the mysteries of creative music making step-by-step

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Piano Teacher Training Workshop

That's Jazz - Learn to incorporate jazz into studio piano teaching and jazz up your lessons using this successful approach to jazz that can be integrated with both a traditional method and classical selections.  Bradley Sowash shares his time-tested techniques to help your reading students get "out" of the music and motivate students who tend to play by ear to become better readers.

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.

Graphic: David Paul

Scaling the Chords - Tips from a jazz musician on making chords and scales more fun to practice and more relevant to your students' repertoire. One of the biggest challenges beginning improvisers face is mastering the fundamental aspects of harmony including how it relates to key signatures and scales, how to construct and interpret popular chord symbols, how to develop chord fluency, and why would anyone want to know this stuff anyway?

The Blues - Want to include some blues in your students' lessons? Learn how to play and teach this essential American music form. Evolving from it's rural American roots in the 1900s to worldwide popularity today, the 12 bar blues is considered a mainstay of improvisation by jazz musicians and educators. Though blues appears to be simple on the surface, many teachers, lacking experience with it in their own training, can benefit from guidance on how to navigate its nuances in the private studio.

Going Further With Lead Sheets - Are you a slave to the page?  The desire to play by ear seems to be nearly universal. Teaching music only through reading cuts off an essential avenue to a lifetime of joyful music making. Lead sheets offer a compromise between playing totally "off the top of one's head" and reading every note.  If you already know how to play the melody and chord symbols on lead sheets, you may be wondering... now what? Learn creative techniques to personalize your interpretation of the tunes found in fake books and then pass it on to your students.

Organize a workshop in your area.   Get in touch today!

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What a delight to hear you last week! I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I enjoyed the concert; you were surrounded by adoring fans. It was an absolutely splendid evening. - Susan Geffen Managing Editor, Clavier Companion

...That we all gleaned new ideas and approaches to improvisation can be attested to by the accolades you received on the NPITYA Evaluation forms. All of the sessions were well received and appreciated by all the teachers. Your teaching is so meaningful and helpful... -- Dr. David A. Karp, Professor of Music,  Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX

Thanks so much for humbling yourself to come to our group of plain old piano teachers. I KNOW that you are in great demand throughout the country. I am always so inspired when I sit in your seminars and I appreciate what you share that works so well in your studio. - S.B.

I got some excellent ideas that I immediately began incorporating in my teaching this afternoon. - C. A.

I especially like the way you make us all feel like we can really teach improv! - S. N.

I really resonate with your message that improvising is part-and-parcel of what we musicians should be doing and teaching, because I've had to struggle to learn to improvise myself (having been taught the printed note is sacred!). It's about time improvising became commonplace instead of considered a special talent. - C.S.

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.

...unique and pedagogically beneficial. - Wendy

The best comment I heard was "it was not a commercial and I learned lots of new things for my students". - Deedy Neville, President, Burrage Music Company

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. - Bob Vandall, OMTA district conference planner

...a most informative and interesting workshop + fabulous performance!   - Dr. Cyntha Benson, College of Musical Arts, Bowling Green State University

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 music students

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Once again, I really appreciate your time and vitality.  My students and their parents were amazed how you could bring something fresh and new to each student, meeting them wherever they were technically and musically and moving them further along. - Melissa (piano teacher)

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

1st Time Improvisers
Faculty: Bradley Sowash
Date/Time: Monday, July 19 – Friday, July 23, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 12
Class Fee: $100.00* / $110.00
Ages: late elementary – middle school students
Every musician should know how to improvise! 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! In this workshop, learn step-by-step musical tools and practical tips to get improvising immediately.  Participants should know how to play notes on his/her instrument by name and be able to play C, F, G and Bb major scales over at least one octave. Prior improvising or jazz experience is not required.

Learn more here

CAMP Keyboard – Intro to Jazz and Popular Piano Styles
Faculty: Bradley Sowash
Date/Time: Monday, July 19 – Friday, July 23, 9:00 am – 12 noon
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 12
Class Fee: $100.00* / $110.00
Ages: 12 years and up through adult

This is a fun and creative approach to piano playing designed for intermediate to advanced traditionally trained pianists interested in learning to play “off the page.” Increase your knowledge of pop chord symbols, voicings, blues scales and contemporary rhythms. Learn to interpret a lead sheet by creating bass lines, applying stock accompaniment styles, inventing intros, endings and improvising.

Learn more here

This has been a high light of my spring and will look forward to signing up next time. - Bruce

I've been telling everyone about the class and the Jazz Academy. It's a great atmosphere and the class is so relaxing and fun. - Trudy

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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Thanks again for the awesome Winter Jazz Workshop. I had a great time playing "Billie's Bounce. "I always enjoy playing jazz with other musicians. - J. (age 14)

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! - C. (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! - C. (student parent)

The concert was fabulous! Always amazes me what you get out of these musicians in such a short practice time. - M. (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 music is one-on-one with an experienced teacher.

Requirements
I mentor early intermediate to advanced piano students 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 one fourth classical and three fourths 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. The tuition is $65 per lesson.  I ask for a commitment from the first lesson through the end of June. 

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.   The instructional rate is $75 per lesson.  Payment is required at each lesson. There are no make-ups for a la carte lessons.

  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?

To arrange or reschedule a lesson,
please contact Melanie at:

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Studio calendar

D had a jazz band concert tonight and just did awesomely. He really wailed on the piano and it was just terrific. Mr. H (band director) told us that the last piano player could "play the notes, but D has 'soul.' I just thought I'd let you know that we aren't the only ones that have seen how much he has improved...credit to you!!!!  - K (student parent)

M 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.

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