HomeLJS PodcastJazz Teacher vs. Jazz Coach - Which One Do You Need?

Jazz Teacher vs. Jazz Coach – Which One Do You Need?

Have you ever played sports on a team before? Perhaps while you were growing up, and if you’ve ever done that before, you probably had a coach.

Now, I know for a fact that you have gone to school before, at least to some degree elementary school, high school, perhaps even college and while you were in school, you had what’s called a teacher, and the difference between a coach and a teacher is actually quite interesting, and that’s really what we’re going to talk about today.

When it comes to your jazz playing and improving as a jazz musician, which one do you need, a jazz coach or a jazz teacher? And depending on where you’re at and what you need to accomplish at this given moment in your musicianship, one may be better than the other for you.

Welcome to episode 424

In this episode:

1. The difference between jazz coaches and jazz teachers.
2. The importance of having both teachers to improve as a jazz musician.
3. While free resources like podcasts and YouTube are helpful, investing in music education is crucial for growth.
4. A jazz teacher imparts new information and skills, such as scales, music theory, and specific techniques.
5. A jazz coach refines and improves knowledge and abilities, provides direction, and helps players progress.
6. Jazz coaches are valuable for those with a basic understanding of their instrument, who need guidance and a pathway to improve faster.
7. Teachers and coaches can overlap in their roles, and individuals may require both at different stages of their musical journey.
8. Using the “B.A.D.” framework used by jazz coaches to help students analyze their solos and improve strategically.

Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Brent Vaartstra
Brent Vaartstrahttp://www.brentvaartstra.com
Brent Vaartstra is a professional jazz guitarist and educator living in New York City. He is the head blogger and podcast host for learnjazzstandards.com which he owns and operates. He actively performs around the New York metropolitan area and is the author of the Hal Leonard publication "Visual Improvisation for Jazz Guitar." He's also the host of the music entrepreneurship podcast "Passive Income Musician."

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