Hi There! I am looking for a Jazz piano teacher for my son whom I have been teaching how to play the piano for the last 3 or so years.

I learnt classical piano (as you do ...when it is the only choice for piano at the time) when I was young but the programme that we follow has some "jazzy" pieces/rhythm where you can add your own harmony improvisation etc. and he really loves playing them.

He has never taken any exams for the piano but has just recently taken his grade 3 theory and passed his grade 3 violin with merit.(with 3 marks to distinction.....)

The examiner says he is a promising violinist but I think the only way I could keep him playing the piano is to find him a good jazz piano teacher....Help. Any suggestions?

P.S. My son is 10.

Which part of the country do you live in?!

If you are in the UK you could try

www.musicteachers.co.uk

and do a search on your area plus piano, you might find a few teachers listed who do jazz piano, depending where you are.

There is also the EPTA website - www.epta-uk.org where you will find more listings - I think they are sorted by county.

I hope you find someone!

Maggie

I am sorry. I realised soon after that I should have mentioned where I am......We live in Auckland, New Zealand. I have checked the Music teachers web site in NZ with no avail. All suggestions welcomed. Last week he announced that he would like to learn the Alto Sax!!! Fortunately, he still loves his violin.........

Try the Jazz Piano Teachers' Association (known as JAPTA).
www.jazzpianoteachersassociation.org.uk

The problem is that there really are very few jazz piano teachers any where and when you do find one their lists are full! Most of these teachers are also playing out in bands and dont take as many students as a regular piano teacher. I have checked all the websites also! We live in London and have been looking for a Jazz piano teacher for our daughter for over a year! We are on several waiting lists and no progress so far. However she started the saxophone two years ago (aged 10) and that has kept the momentum going whilst we witter on about a good classical foundation on the piano This enabled her to join a 'croaky' Jazz band and get some 'swing' and we still keep looking for a jazz piano teacher. If you live near a Music College you may be able to get a Jazz music undergrad to get your child started and give tuition for a couple of years whilst you are on a waiting list.
You mention the repitoire and I remember my daughter started piano with an Exam board called RockSchool, which I had never heard of, and their peices at Grade 1 and 2, really rocked! I would try them out myselves quite enviously! She did Grade 3 & 4 with ABRSM and the difference was evident. She also plays the violin and viola because she wants to. She is desperate for a Jazz piano teacher but the Saxophone really has worked so far. If you can afford it and your child is keen - go for it

To LotusPdiTus - have you tried contacting the Auckland Conservatoire - when I was in NZ last (ok, back in 2001 ) I met up with a number of people who are involved in music education there and jazz in particular; and there were at least a few good jazz pianists in Auckland who might be willing/able to take on your son. Hope this helps.

To Ayshah - to add to the sites for teachers already mentioned try Jazz Services (www.jazzservices.org.uk - then click on Database (not Education!) and then Tutors) and the ISM (www.ism.org). Good luck.

Strange how things are - After waiting a year and a day for a jazz piano teacher - we got one last Friday 10 mins away and after one lesson my daughter came out with the biggest grin on her face and hasnt stoped playing since!. It was worth the wait. Thanks to you all for the site suggestions and good luck to you LotusP

I also think you should contact the Auckland University school of music - there probably *are* jazz pianists who teach, but that could be your fastest route to finding them, or to getting in touch with a student willing to teach.

LotusP, my son went through a stage of wanting to play every instrument on earth. He's also 10...he tells me in a world-weary way that he could actually narrow it down a bit now...

Is Mark de Clive-Lowe still living in Auckland? - he's become an accomplished jazz pianist - my husband and I know of him through his Japanese mother. If he is, see if he's teaching.

My son is also very much into fast and rhythmical pieces at present, so while jazz could be a "forever" love, it might also be part of the 10 year old mindset! I'd keep it broad...(and recommend that your son listen to the Yoshida Brothersplaying shamisen if he ever gets the chance).

Does your son play with a youth orchestra - son is hoping to play with Manukau Youth next time we are out in NZ. We're occasionally able to organize a few lessons with local teachers, but violin teachers in Auckland are rarer than they should be. Good luck!

Recently my husband and I were invited to a gig in a pub out of our local area by someone who he met at an adult evening jazz class. This was a 16 piece jazz band who played some abolutely marvelous swing and blues jazz. Sadly there were a total of 8 people in the pub! These gentlemen (all) nearly all retired and had played back in the days ... They knew their chords inside out, could read and feel their way through the music, but they no longer teach and only occasionally meet for jam sessions. Thats 16 potential teachers we have got to coax back into music education. For adults, the adult institutes do have a lot of evening classes that are quite encouraging. However for younger kids it is still a long waiting list. As to why more and more young people are keen to learn jazz. Havent you seen/heard Nora Jones, Jamie Cullum etc. Plus and I quote my two youngest here. Its a lot of fun!!