Educator

Teaching Philosophy

What separates humans from all other animals is that we are able to progress as a society by passing down information from one generation to the next. This is the cornerstone of civilization without which we would still be cavemen hunting and gathering. So, teaching is fundamental to the development of culture.

Everyone processes information in unique ways. One size does not fit all. It is essential to develop a relationship with students in order to have any meaningful discourse. Simply put, you can't teach at someone, you must teach with them. Why? Teaching would be a simple activity if all that was necessary was to come up with a repeatable system. While some aspects of teaching certainly must be broken down methodically into digestible chunks which can be assimilated by the student, each individual processes information in different ways. Some people learn by observation, others by activities as well as other ways of digesting information and understanding concepts. You must find what works with each individual.

I was classically trained by my mentor, Robert Estrin, a phenomenal educator who I was incredible fortunate to study with. However, when I made the transition to jazz, I had to develop a keen sense of how to figure things out. I impart to my students a very logical progression of concepts that build on one another logically. This provides the cornerstone for my teaching. I also believe that being a great teacher has the element of being a great listener like a psychologist - attempting to understand the feelings and motivations of the student. After all, teaching isn't just about dumping a bunch of information at someone; it is getting into their head and their soul so that you can find what makes them tick so that they feel compelled and motivated to learn.

"The method is the student"
(Bijan Taghavi, 7/21/16 LivingPianos Podcast on Teaching)

Study With Bijan

Bijan Taghavi teaches privately to students of all ages and levels, online via Zoom or Personalized Correspondence, covering areas such as:

Beginning Piano
Jazz Piano Performance
Classical Piano Performance
Piano Technique
Jazz Theory/Harmony
Improvisation
Composition/Arranging
Preparing Students For College Auditions

Contact Bijan for his availability and current rates. For more about the Personalized Correspondence Method, click here.

Educational Background

Educator for JazzPianoSchool.com: where Bijan has published over twenty articles, created content for their online courses, and works with their students directly by managing their Facebook Group where he answer questions, leads discussions, and conducts student playing evaluations.
Instructor at Michigan State University: where he has developed the curriculum for Undergraduate Piano for jazz majors and teaches 3 classes with an emphasis on harmony and improvisation
Instructor at 2020 West Michigan Jazz Intensive Workshop: alongside the MSU Professors of Jazz, where he taught big band rehearsals, Piano Studio, Rhythm Section sectionals, and an Improv Summit.
Guest Panelist for "Hearin' The Changes": Bijan has been a guest panelist for Luther Hughes' weekly masterclass at California State University, Fullerton: "Hearin' The Changes" alongside renowned jazz educators Bert Ligon, Bill Cunliffe, Chuck Israels, and others.

Masterclasses

Available for masterclass clinics in areas such as:

Solo Piano Techniques for Jazz Pianists
Comping for Jazz Pianists
Voice-Leading
Harmonization Techniques
Transcription & Improvisation Analysis
Ensemble Playing
Seminar on Practicing

Click here for examples of masterclass offerings.

Student Testimonials

Students

"I have been entranced by your professional analysis of Kenny Barron's Solo On a Slow Boat to China. It must be my 5th or 6th time through it, and I'm always inspired. Your step-by-step presentation with your own pianistic renderings is very instructive, and you demystify the genius and celerity of Kenny's magic hands. I must say that discovering you & your Artist Highlight feature on the JazzPiano site has been a very powerful resource and inspiration for me. Your work is truly awesome." (Brainerd)

"Your method is exactly what I needed. I know I have to get all these building blocks in place, as I have too many holes in my playing, and I think your approach will fill those gaps and allow me to move forward." (Ron)

"One thing I’ve enjoyed about your advice Bijan here and elsewhere is you have a way of building our confidence to make our own best decisions. That to me is sign of a good educator. Thanks so much!" (Chris)

Educators

“Bijan’s methodical and intellectual approach to teaching is some of the best I’ve ever seen. He carefully considers all the minute details and nuances that are needed to help the student achieve the best results with efficiency. He is easily able to quickly assess a project, issue, or problem and then without hesitation begin to form a plan or solution which he fluidly can articulate to the most beginning level student all the way to a very advanced collegiate level.” (Brenden Lowe, JPS Founder)

“Bijan has been teaching piano, theory and composition since he was in high school. I have recommended many students to him and have gotten incredibly positive feedback from the diverse people he has worked with. He has the right temperament, expansive knowledge, as well as the sincere desire to help people which are essential elements for effectiveness in teaching. Bijan is also incredibly adept at utilizing technologies with his online video lessons incorporating audio, video and MIDI in creative ways.” (Robert Estrin, LivingPianos Founder)