LivingPianos Podcast - Episode 2

Robert Estrin and Mike Wood are joined by Bijan Taghavi, a jazz pianist who is currently studying under scholarship as a sophomore at the Manhattan School of Music and also one of Robert’s past students. On this episode they discuss Jazz and the differences and similarities between Classical music, relationships with music teachers and questions from listeners.

1) Teaching Philosophy

Bijan Taghavi and Robert Estrin discuss teaching philosophy, how to discern a good teacher from a bad one, the importance of questioning as a student, the importance of entering a lesson with an open-mind as a student, as well as their prior experiences, among other things.

2) Benefits of Playing Multiple Instruments

Bijan Taghavi and Robert Estrin discuss the benefits of playing multiple instruments and how that can improve your overall musicianship. 

Bijan Taghavi is a multi-instrument. He is proficient at guitar, electric and upright bass, as well as his primary instrument, the piano. Robert Estrin is also a multi-instrument, as an accomplished pianist and french-hornist. 

3) Counterpoint in Jazz

Bijan Taghavi and Robert Estrin discuss the use of counterpoint in jazz. Bijan also demonstrates his use of counterpoint in jazz in his solo piano recording of Bijan's solo piano arrangement of the Dizzy Gillespie composition, Con Alma.

0:00-3:23 - discussion of counterpoint in jazz
3:23-8:15 - Con Alma: ​Bijan Taghavi solo piano recording,

4) How to Make A Living In Music & Build A Career As A Musician

Bijan Taghavi and Robert Estrin discuss how to make a living in music and building a career as a musician. Bijan explains Justin DiCoccio's philosophy of the "complete artist musician", who is one who (1) performs, (2) teaches, and (3) writes. They also discuss the importance of versatility, sight-righting, and being a good accompanist. 

5) Getting Started in Jazz

Bijan Taghavi and Robert Estrin discuss Bijan's musical background and getting started in jazz. They also discuss the challenges in switching from classical to jazz. Bijan explains the importance of letting go of the ego to be able to develop a new skill. 

6) Transcribing in Jazz

​Bijan Taghavi and Robert Estrin discuss the importance of transcribing in jazz and learning music by ear. This is the way jazz musicians over the past hundred years have learned standard jazz tunes and jazz solos, by copying off the records. But if you should transcribe in jazz, why shouldn't you transcribe in classical music, Robert asks?