28 The Way to Jazz Up Piano Lessons (w/ Sean-David McGoran)

The Piano Sensei Way

Do you want to include more improv in your lessons? Do you want students to be more comfortable with different keys and scales? How do you start introducing improvisation with a student so it’s not scary or intimidating? Today’s guest, Sean-David McGoran has a degree in jazz composition, plays piano, trumpet and saxophone, has performed in small groups, big orchestras, jazz bands, musical theater, and church settings. He not only has amazing improv skills, he has been teaching for over 39 years! In this episode, Sean-David gives us great tips on not only how to introduce improv to students, but also how to use improv as a tool to help other skills like familiarity with keys and scales.

Resources

Sean-David’s studio website: https://www.thetunedinacademy.org/

Mark Davis Jazz Piano Method: https://a.co/d/bsSLKuU

Jerry Bergonzi: https://www.jerrybergonzi.net/instructional-content

Hal Crook, How to Improvise: https://www.amazon.com/How-Improvise-Approach-Practicing-Improvisation/dp/3892210314

Piano By Ear by Lucinda Macworth-Young: https://www.lucinda-mackworth-young.co.uk/piano-by-ear