The book called Teaching and Learning Jazz

Teaching and Learning Jazz

From tradition to technology: A frank appraisal of jazz education

by Richie Beirach and Michael Lake

Jazz education has undergone a significant transformation over the past 100 years. 

From this book, Richie and Mike provide great stories of jazz wisdom, a reflection on university jazz education including how to choose a school, an analysis of the Hollywood view of jazz education, a look at the psychology of education, and many other previously unexplored essential topics for both teachers and students.

'Teaching and Learning Jazz' is the most important book on Jazz Education I have ever read and possibly ever written!
Justin DiCioccio
Associate Dean/Chair Emeritus Jazz Arts Program Manhattan School of Music

Soft Cover edition: $29.95

Digital edition:$19.95

What you will find in this book...

Stories of learning jazz at the
feet of the masters

Some of the most important lessons Richie learned came from being on the hot seat in an important performance. Discover what Richie learned that stayed with him to this day.

The Master-Apprentice relationship

What do Okinawan Karate, Indian classical music,
and jazz have in common?

Of teachers and school

Jazz education is transitioning to universities. With the number of schools and the often exorbitant cost, learn how to choose the best one for you,
or none at all.

Honest criticism of the Movie Whiplash

As an Academy Award winning film and huge popular success, read an honest no-holds bared review of the movie by Richie and Mike.

The hierarchy of learning

A chapter is dedicated to examaning the four levels of learning. Knowing them and your current status is critical for improving your skills.

A fly on the wall

Richie and Mike transcribed a conversation they had on a variety of topics. Two friends with strong opinions can have fun arguing with each other. See what you will learn by 'listening' in!

Watch a couple of samples of Richie's teaching...

“This ingenious book, by Richie Beirach and Michael Lake, goes beyond what is found typically in most jazz education ‘how to’ books. The authors offer practical and crucial advice for jazz students based on their real-world experience as students of the music, during their performance careers, and as teachers of this art form.”
Professor Richard DeRosa
Director of Jazz Composition and Arranging, University of North Texas
Inception
Cinematic @ 68 bpm
Inception
Cinematic @ 68 bpm
Milky Way
Ethereal @ 100 bpm
Milky Way
Ethereal @ 100 bpm
I-VI-II-V
Jazz @ 140 bpm
I-VI-II-V
Jazz @ 140 bpm
Caribbean Express
Salsa @ 165 bpm
Caribbean Express
Salsa @ 165 bpm
Dawn of a New Day
Soul @ 85 bpm
Dawn of a New Day
Soul @ 85 bpm
Spinning Top
Jazz Waltz @ 140 bpm
Spinning Top
Jazz Waltz @ 140 bpm
Sails Full Open
Contemporary @ 120 bpm
Sails Full Open
Contemporary @ 120 bpm
Summer's Dawn
Jazz Waltz @ 110 bpm
Summer's Dawn
Jazz Waltz @ 110 bpm
The Benji Pad
Ethereal @ 100 bpm
The Benji Pad
Ethereal @ 100 bpm
St. Thomas Block Party
Calypso @ 114 bpm
St. Thomas Block Party
Calypso @ 114 bpm
Island Mines
World Music @ 112 bpm
Island Mines
World Music @ 112 bpm
Disco Marley
Reggae-ish @ 110 bpm
Disco Marley
Reggae-ish @ 110 bpm
Earthen Choir
Ethereal @ 92 bpm
Earthen Choir
Ethereal @ 92 bpm
Jungle Dance
Cinematic @ 130 bpm
Jungle Dance
Cinematic @ 130 bpm
Bailey's Waltz
Jazz Waltz @ 110 bpm
Bailey's Waltz
Jazz Waltz @ 110 bpm
Afternoon Daydreaming
Samba @ 90 bpm
Afternoon Daydreaming
Samba @ 90 bpm
Galactica
Epic @ 100 bpm
Galactica
Epic @ 100 bpm
Lush Life
Funk @ 90 bpm
Lush Life
Funk @ 90 bpm
Eleuthera
Bolero @ 90 bpm
Eleuthera
Bolero @ 90 bpm
Good Bye
Ethereal @ 90 bpm
Good Bye
Ethereal @ 90 bpm
Southside Strut
Funk @ 100 bpm
Southside Strut
Funk @ 100 bpm
Standing outside
Bossa @ 150 bpm
Standing outside
Bossa @ 150 bpm
Groovy Jazzy
Jazz funk @ 112 bpm
Groovy Jazzy
Jazz funk @ 112 bpm
Sound Refuge
Eclectic - no temp
Sound Refuge
Eclectic - no temp
Dreaming of Mars
Static harmony without a tempo
Dreaming of Mars
Static harmony without a tempo
Beat Sweeper
Jazz @ 180 bpm
Beat Sweeper
Jazz @ 180bpm
Cruisin'
Fast Americana @ 224 bpm
Cruisin'
Fast Americana @ 224 bpm
Contemplation
Smooth @ 120 bpm
Contemplation
Smooth @ 120 bpm

This is just a fake book example for the type of website I can build for you. Just trying to use a little humor here!