Pedagogical Language of Jazz

Abstract

The pedagogy of jazz continues to evolve. Changes in the art form itself, the gradual development of jazz education resources and techniques, the ubiquitous availability of historically significant recordings in the digital age, and other factors play roles in this continued evolution. However, many longstanding pedagogical theories of what constitutes effective instruction are shown to be true for generation after generation of music students. This chapter outlines practical, effective teaching techniques applied to twenty-first-century jazz ensemble instruction. Topics explored in this chapter include rehearsal plan development; effective communication skills; techniques to ensure student engagement; rehearsal technique; the value of role modeling; and strategies for offering direction and teacher feedback in a manner that will be best received by today’s students, through use of specific language in one’s critiques.