What Jazz Teachers and Students NEED To Do in 2025...

[@mauromateosax]

I started playing saxophone a year ago. At 24 years old. I'm enjoying it a lot

[@camdendebruin6667]

The advice for the teachers makes me so thankful for my current band director. He's not just a very accompished player, he truly bleeds music and wants to spread his love for it to the next generation. I don't think there is a class that goes by that we don't learn about at least a few incredible artists or songs we've never heard before. Having someone who will be real with you and emotionally accompany you through the music has been a truly inspriring experience and has really helped me connect with music on a more coletrane-y spiritual level.

[@nozab]

Needed this today! Started playing music for the first time last year (alto sax) at 27. Started slow and unfocused the first 6 months feeling like I was too late but something flipped in me and I have played nearly everyday of the last year and have fallen in love with the process and small bits of progress. I try to split my time between focused practice and songs/exercises that seem fun to me that day. Helps me to remember that todays frustration will push me to be better tomorrow. I’m obsessed with the fact that there will always be more to learn and listen to. Love your passion for the craft and how you keep it fun, keep pushing and inspiring Pat!

[@TheBlueGoldenHawk]

I also started playing piano last year at the same age and bass guitar this year (only played drums for 1.5 yrs when I was about 19 or 20). I also find it hard to have motivation sometimes but I’ve recently had the dream of moving to Tokyo and joining the music community there, jamming and all that. I’ve never lived in a city but if I had to live in one, I’d rather it be Japan. Having that dream motivates me to continue learning music and Japanese, and gives me more excitement for the future because I’ll barely be able to play with other musicians out in the countryside

[@coltonjohnson9739]

I wish I had had you as a band teacher when I was a kid. My band teacher was so, so mean. I played in the jazz band because my grandpa played in a big band (jazz accordion, haha), and he taught me how much fun and how much dance there was in jazz. I stuck years through my band class despite my teacher, because I loved playing. When I got to high school, they told me I couldn’t play jazz unless I committed to normal band, marching band, after school marching band, and band competitions. I finally had enough and quit. Years later, missing music terribly, I started to play again on my own.

[@onastur]

I'm 18 and teaching in many different places (mainly to help pay for that music school tuition) and this video was very interesting to me because I'm at the age range where I grew up learning in the same dynamic that my students are now. Most of my students are older than me! But I think what you said was spot on, especially about leaving some class time to LISTEN, and EXPLAIN. IMO, if I don't have time to explain the origins of the Clave, or Samba etc etc. why would anyone want to learn it! We need to understand the significance in our art, the history

[@michaelstevens8]

Great Video as always Patrick. Your absolutely right that a Jazz Teacher should teach not only what they think is important, but also what the student is enthusiastic about and what the student needs for the current Jazz Environment. Their have been many changes in the Music Industry over the past 20 years or so. On the one hand, there is fewer Jazz Clubs and Labels, on the other hand their's a whole new group of Opportunities because of the Internet and Social Media. Also in my experience, to be a good Teacher requires equal parts Teacher, Trainer and Coach. Teacher to teach the Jazz Language, Trainer to train them on What and How to Practice, and Coach for Moral Support when they get depressed about their progress and how good they are compared to someone else. Also, not all Students are the right fit for all Teachers and vice versa. And just because a musician is a Virtuoso doesn't mean they are a good Teacher. They might be good at Demonstrating, but demonstrating is not Teaching. Finally, their isn't just one way to teach Jazz, there are a number of different ways. But the way that has stood the test of time is Transcribing by Ear. Listen. Copy. Repeat. The idea isn't to play exactly like someone else but to Assimilate their Language and then eventually do your own thing with it. You don't necessarily want someone else's licks comming out in your playing, but you do want their Concepts to come out in your playing. Trumpet/Flugelhorn player and Educator Clark Terry said it best. First you must Imitate, then you can Emulate, then you can Innovate. Or at least try to. Thanks.

[@JaredRayHawking]

I totally relate with teacher providing a reason why students need to do certain things. Stating clearly the benefits of why doing this weeks assignment is valueable works wonders for motivation and want to actually learn the thing a teacher is teaching. I'm sure it's really easy to just tell students what to do because YOU the teacher already know why that recording or player is important to know of.

[@manudague]

Great....just GREAT.....Thousand Thanks from a French Drummer, I'm 53 years old

[@EliaGaitau]

Love it. Thank you. I’m 51 yrs young and will always be a student first. I’m extremely passionate about teaching and performing jazz piano. The teaching part - recently it’s been for people who have difficulty in or who don’t want to read music. I always start by asking them who they are listening to, or if they could share with me any of their fav music. If it’s not jazz, the better, because that usually leads back to jazz. It could be a rhythmic thing or chord progression, a harmonic colour.. anything. There will ALWAYS be a way to relate it back to improvisation. I love what you said re teachers should show their joy for the music. 100000% YES 👍 I think it’s also important to show respect to music styles that you may not necessarily find interesting, because your student will pick up on that also. Just last week a student was asking what to play over a modal tune… I knew this kid also loves Hard Rock. So I got him to show me his fav tune from that Rock band. I heard a riff that sounded like - that one!! So I made him copy that rhythm and see where he could put it over the modal tune. (Maiden Voyage.) Let’s just say his lesson time went overtime! 😂 and that joy he had from discovering this plus that equals a new sound. It’s a JOY to learn and even learning HOW to teach that individual - finding common interests.. oh boy I better stop cause I could talk for hours! 😂

[@skylerschwebach6829]

Great to hear this. Currently at a university studying music education and have been struggling with some of the ideas you mention. When I play for myself or prepare for an audition, I sound exactly how I want to, but I never place where I want to. It’s hard to accept that my professors just don’t want to hear that. But part of what makes that worse is that I consistently feel like they don’t ever give me the opportunity to show them what they want to hear. They may want a different lead alto sound, but they never tell me what it is. I consistently get answers like “Josh just plays that part better than you and that’s that.” Without telling me how I can improve or get a lead chair. It’s frustrating. As a future teacher everything you said has really resonated with me. I’ve had a running plan of how my band classroom is going to work and everything you said has crossed my mind and entered that plan at one point or another. Thanks for the reassurance that I’m heading in the right direction.

[@josephshahady8308]

Patrick I was jumping up and down thankful to hear everything you said in this video. 23 year old trumpet player who also grew up in south Florida and took me till I was a senior to make all state also. Chris Dorsey and Ron Carter (Bryan’s dad) changed my life by getting us excited the same way you describe here in just a handful of full of masterclasses they did at my high school. So happy to hear someone call this out as the single most important piece of music education. I guess you didn’t use those words but for me it was. The way Ron Carters face lit up when I asked him to write a list of trumpet players to check out, the way Chris Dorsey counted off the band, the jokes, the laughter and the pure JOY was lived and you could feel it emanating off of those men when they taught this music. That along with everything else really spoke to me Patrick. Thanks so much man. Hope to hear you live again soon (last got to hear you at Jacksonville jazz fest in 22’)

[@cmarkhalberstadt]

Thank you! I’m a 40 year old software engineer and this really helped me think through some stuff in my own life. ❤

[@aryarseno7760]

Thanks for your wise words, I learnt jazz guitar 2 years ago at 30, and Ive experienced up and down thinking that I couldnt make it, but I still learn anyway because I love the process.

[@a.j.nicoll477]

Thanks for the video. Starting tomorrow, I will be better about playing recordings for my students. I think it's also important for band directors to show that there are still things for them to practice and get better. As we show our students we're still moving along and enjoying the journey, they will too

[@coltonjohnson9739]

Love this video- I used to tell my wife every time I’d go to my piano lessons “Welp, I’m off- by the time I get back, I should be about as good as people who’ve practiced for 50 years.” I was joking, but also, there was a part of me that really did want to believe that it was possible. Saying it out loud made me feel a lot better- to realize, hey, it’s ok if I’m not as good as the world’s best musicians after a 30 minute piano lesson. I think realizing those things makes it so I appreciate talented musicians more, and I’m easier on myself- that, and it reminds me to just enjoy playing, even when I suck at it.

[@robstevens9590]

Thank you Patrick. I like the video clip! I saw Yusef Lateef live in Detroit around the time this clip was made. I started playing alto at 20 (I played for 5 years, then stopped for 25 years - for various reasons). I'm now 76 and play often, and local audiences like my music, but I'm still learning as there are lots of things I want to be able to play that are not in my (popular) repertoire.

[@alvarorojas225]

I'm 48 years old trumpet player enjoying learning some jazz guitar and vocals. I started playing music at 26. Never is too late. Music is a medicine for the listener's and player's heart and soul. Nothing else, there is no money involved, no marketing, no selling, no buying, just you, the art form and its pedagogy. I love what you say and what you are doing Mr. Bartley. Important messages.

[@Ma-ks3nk]

Thanks so much for this video, man. I’m a high school trumpet player and I struggle DAILY with the whole idea of someone always being ahead of me because someone else doesn’t wanna hear what I have to play. It’s really discouraging especially at this stage in my playing when I’m trying to establish myself for college, but your story and message really hit home and were exactly what I need to hear. I’ve been trying to learn that while I absolutely have some great lead chops, my improv just isn’t there, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that someone wants to hear my lead playing. As for the teaching aspect, what you said really hit hard. I play both at school and my city’s youth jazz orchestra, and the difference in teaching styles is mind blowing. My director with my city’s band single-handedly inspired me to pursue education the way he does, because his love for jazz is just so raw. My school band director however is very much that “cookie cutter”, rigid, no spark kind of guy, and having to go to a school rehearsal the morning after my other band’s rehearsal throws me for a loop. It makes me wonder, what’s the point of teaching if you don’t love what you’re doing? How are students going to find a real appreciation for jazz if they’re not being shown how great it is? With students in my bands, it’s a night and day difference in how much they truly enjoy being there depending on the director. Thanks again for this video. I think everyone should hear these messages because they’re such important ideas to reflect on both as a musician and as a student or teacher. This was super insightful and I hope it resonates with other listeners the way it does with me.

[@GregDalbey]

Patrick, what you are saying here is what I have to tell myself all and I mean ALL of the time about everything in life. We're all on our own individual journeys, and as long as you (we, us, me) are making those good-faith efforts to strive for betterment - that's where it's at. This is a fantastic message from one of my favorite musicians these days.

[@TancrediSferrazza]

the best video ever, i’m 20, studying jazz saxophone at conservatory in italy, playing tenor saxophone for about 7 years but seriously for about 3. This video encourages me to see the big results reached in this last period of my path and valorise them. Keep going man, you’re an inspiration :)

[@Smiraze]

Yeah man I’m a senior (in high school) and I’ve been really overwhelmed by social media and these cats just blowing away on changes and it really makes me worry and just this video helps me calm down so thanks alot dude fr

[@LiamAnderson-kw7mp]

I’m fourteen and play bass and this really helps me a lot. Thanks Patrick

[@jakestake5914]

I started teaching private lessons three years ago, and I feel that the best part for me is that I learn many new things from my students. I find it to be inspirational as someone who is currently a student in grad school. I teach both classical and jazz saxophone and I always give students the option to learn one or both. I even do this when I ask them what they want to learn and what they want to get better at. It was something I was asked from my first saxophone teacher in high school and it has stuck with me since. Bottom line, I think giving your students the ability to choose is important and gives them a sense control and mental engagement. Of course I still give them tools to help them improve their struggles, but even now, I will still pose the question of "what do you want to do?" P. S. I appreciate your videos and your playing! You constantly inspire me to be a better performer, teacher, student, and person.

[@bg0nz_]

10:06 woooooo great advice, when i completely took out social media from my life, i found some of the greatest momentum in improvement

[@jacksongriffith3359]

Even though the length wasn't intentional, I think this type of content is great! Please do more of this type of thing, please! Hearing a different perspective on the development of the music and culture is very refreshing as well as inspiring!

[@LeafGreen906]

Thanks pat! I started playing when i was 19 and even though I try to keep these things in mind it still feels good to get a reminder. 🙏🙏🙏 Sometimes it feels good to take a breather and enjoy the progress made before continuing the journey! Or taking some detours to the music that made me love playing in the first place

[@cooldebt]

Thanks Pat for taking the time to impart these wise and well thought out words from a teacher who clearly embodies the music. Much of this can apply to any learning and the idea that we can all learn from each other is showing respect for each other and an application of humility in life generally.

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Lots of food for thought, thank you. I've been sharing lots of your performances with colleagues over here all week last night. Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@txsphere]

Amen and hallelujah to every point made. Thank you Patrick.

[@vinny2740]

Woah, what a video… this has made me so much more confident about my sax studies! I always find myself putting my achievements down because of the constant feeling that I am not doing enough or learning fast enough to keep up with others in the field that are close to my age. I really appreciate the video Mr Bartley! It means a lot to hear all of those things coming from you. You keep inspiring me to practice and play more jazz on my alto everyday! 🙌🙌🙌

[@BoWadeOnDrums]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic.

[@liammccarthy164]

Thanks Pat! I’m a freshman at university and your videos and clips have been so instrumental for finding my own voice as an artist. Love the podcast format.

[@JazzStephane]

This is wonderful Patrick! I am a much older Saxophonist and I could not agree with you more. Thank you for your perspective and for motivating me to continue my journey!

[@johnminkishere]

Was never in all state jazz band either…rarely first chair. Unlocked “it” after quitting music degree in college at 20 then took 15 years off. Got enough music data in me to play how and what I want now at 50

[@LovableBigSax-ow1mn]

One of the goals of education is to inspire those to want to SEEK knowledge, by oozing that passion yourself.

[@IanJacintoSax]

Yo Pat, you and I have super similar stories. I'm also 31 and I remember my time at high school. I had sax peers (from different high schools in the city) that were better than me for literally the whole 4 years of HS. I NEVER made all-state jazz. (I did make all-state concert band twice, however...) But in my senior year, I finally made HONOR JAZZ band as lead alto! My last chance at beating them and I finally achieved it! And hey, I'm pretty much the only one who still continued to pursue music professionally.

[@MrApetape]

Amazing video/podcast! Thanks for the inspiration and perspectives (:

[@meandyoudifferentandsame]

Amazing timing. I am 24 years old and will finish my Master's in physics next summer. After that, I will study jazz for one year at a folk high school here in Sweden.

[@donovanmonaco5716]

This video is great man, and it's really opened my eyes as to why I've loved and how some of my teachers have helped me more than others.

[@JosephPlaysGuitar]

Thanks for making this Patrick, you brought up a lot of things I needed to hear lately as a performer and teacher

[@wilfig]

Excellent video! In terms of teaching, I always try and stress the fact that we're all created differently, and we learn things at our own paces. If there is a student that wants to be the next Bird, that student needs to know that Bird practiced 8 to 12 hours DAILY for around 3 years straight! Stan Getz basically did the same as well. Coltrane too. Players that can do that, probably have brains that are hardwired differently than the average musician. It's probably closer on a spectrum to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, in my opinion. Then again, Jazz was harder to learn back then. There were no Jazz etudes and pattern books, or jazz schools. All they had were self study, jam sessions, records to listen to, and gigs. Transcribing was much harder back then, compared to now. With the internet and computers, students can learn the art much faster. Which is why I believe we're seeing more music virtuosity in the 21st century, than at any time in human history. But, I'm glad those old musicians did all that obsessive work, because all our musical lives are BETTER as a result of their hard work and beautiful music. But I digress. I'm just saying to students to not be discouraged if their not making an impact on the scene at 14yrs old, like Chris Potter. Potter is more akin to MOZART than to the average HUMAN BEING, let alone the average musician! He's an ANOMALY! So, try not to compare yourself to others, especially a prodigy like a Chris Potter. Because Potter will just make you want to quit! LOL So, once again, we're all created differently. You'll grow at your own pace. But always love the music, because that will inspire you to keep going!

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

“Gotta have some joy” damn straight

[@skizrr7201]

Thank You! I needed to hear this. Great video.

[@JaredRayHawking]

Something I would like to see is seeing more in teaching is more weight put on the blues and soul/feeling. Learning about chord tone soloing and all these scales is great but when it comes down to it; music is about sharing what you're feeling. I hear so much music that's made with the mindset of theory first rather than feeling. Perhaps we need to expand the collective canon of music theory standards to account for the more recent musical developments not just concepts that came from classical music?

[@georgethomann6840]

Thank you, Patrick.

[@cherryicee4456]

my god you are saying the PERFECT words pat 🔥

[@VillagerSK1]

Any pat upload is a good pat upload, thanks for sharing!

[@CalM383]

I'm a college freshman, and this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for all the goat behavior.

[@musictheorist4595]

Love this!

[@pickinstone]

Glad to say that I know a couple of jazz teachers at the secondary level that embody the music. I'll be sure to share your video with them. I'd love to hear you put out more videos on KZbin about the importance of rhythm in learning any type of music--but jazz especially. I still remember that old video you did about jazz and hip hop. I tried Discord, but I'm too old and don't have a smart phone ;)

[@shanesylvester8321]

I needed to hear this, the race is not for the swift, but those who endure to the end.🤔

[@discoverarcane]

Ngl, I feel the way music education is framed in academia is probably the reason for some of the stuff you talked about at the end with directors not getting their students hip to certain players or having any sense of excitement. I was doing """Music Ed. with a Jazz Focus""" in my undergrad before I swapped to performance. I'm sure it's different in other places, but the catalogue and course requirements they had are kinda bs. No jazz courses AT ALL are required for music education students. In place, you got a mid ass ear training course (I-IV) that, for anybody with even decent relative pitch, is absolutely worthless and is geared more towards solfege... Classical theories I-IV (with IV being post-tonal stuff, tone rows, etc.) are all mandatory while Jazz Theory (there's only one lmao) isn't. Three Musicology classes are also forced, and ofc they're strictly covering western European art music and nothing else. Even in conducting class the only music used is strictly orchestral, no big band stuff whatsoever. No improv classes, no composition, no arranging, no pedagogy... Ofc, they force you to do atleast 2 years of marching band too, which was basically the main reason I dropped the major. jazz isn't even viewed as legitimate music in half of these schools to begin with, I swear. it's little surpise that folks end up beating themselves up after seeing 1000 social media prodigies every week in highschool while their director can't even help with basic elements of style, swing, groove, feel, etc. (cause the directors never had to intently listen to the music)

[@hypecleffon2655]

Amen! Seems like common sense, but it's wild how far Jazz has gone from a vivacious passed down language to a codified routine of labored curriculum... lol. Thanks. The "rambling" is much appreciated.

[@ryumi2000]

I love these realtalk vids

[@ianbaker3060]

not quite done with the video as i'm commenting this but I can already tell that this is an amazing video so thank you

[@Vitruvian42]

“You can’t teach jazz like it’s a job, because there is no work.” 😆 Truth.

[@mjpslim]

To add : each instructor/ teacher teaches different and HAVE a different ear 👂 expectation. I’ve had several instructors that wanted different things and it made it hard for a student to grasp on what’s the proper steps into learning and PRACTICING jazz .. so much information can be overwhelming. I’m getting better now because i realized what i was missing the most 😅..

[@Passeira1]

Patrick, you're a wise man.

[@PhotoFalcinelli]

Great lesson

[@jeremyshaskus3283]

Doubling is good if you want to produce your own tracks/studio work. Flute VST’s are aight but you’re pressed to find a good sax or clarinet library without dropping Hollywood money.

[@zacompston]

Hey, I took that photo of Dan White in the thumbnail!

[@PatrickBartleyMusic]

Thanks I didn't know who this was, I just found it on Google!

[@sebastiannai4381]

Imagine if Wes Montgomery or Eric Dolphy went to music school. "You're doing it all wrong". This is why music school is unnecessary. At the end of the day, it's a means for teachers to profit. Dream merchants. Kids that can play, don't really need school, at least in the university setting. School is getting on the road for the first time, getting your first big gig around town when you are in a bit over your head, it's there organically.

[@johnminkishere]

My philosophy said by the best in biz…thanks

[@jambajoby32]

That’s an interesting conundrum asking teachers to update their process when you say your process is what worked for you. Learning music as a craft often works best the same way it’s been taught for ages. Factoring in todays tech can facilitate and accommodate the process but will never replace it

[@MarioCalzadaMusic]

I’m also in the middle of being a teacher and a student… and is a thing, I understand

[@fresamouse]

" Even if you're not a Teacher, be a teacher! Share your ideas. Don't take for granted your education; rejoice in what you learn and spray it." - Tim Minchin

[@jmartznunez]

Pat, you are one real mf! such a great soul. Hopefully, our journey cross because I'd love to meet you one day.

[@michaelcaldwell7107]

I’m 65 and playing most of my life. So much of my time was comparing myself to others. It’s been such a waste of time. Also, the whole concept of what I call bounce is missing in many players young and old. Cannonball and his band, Ellington, Basie, Miles and so many of the other greats have this ‘bounce’ of energy that’s missing in so many peoples playing. You can be so thoughtful about your playing and have incredible technique, but without that kind of propulsive energy it just sounds like a note salad to me. The idea of pacing and climax are also missing in many players. Listen to Cannonball’s Miss Jackie’s Delight, both his and Nat’s solo. I wish every jazz teacher used that to show how much energy, coolness and clarity can come from such a simple melody. The solos go from incredibly simple to complex in such a smooth hip way and Cannonball even plays what I call the ‘echo’ riff. I’m also glad you mentioned how you really blossomed as a player later. A lot of this has to do with intent. How bad do you want it. You have to ‘want’ to achieve anything. Everything is an effort at first. How bad do you want to be a better musician, a better player, a better human being? You gotta do the work. You’re not a good reader? Make it apart of your practice ALL THE TIME! You work at the things you’re not good at. You practice things until they are a part of your soul. That can take a lifetime, but it’s your life, and if it’s that important, any effort towards your goals is totally worth it.

[@Dietcheesey]

Great advice Patrick. Who else do you follow on KZbin for music wisdom?

[@LoneDimom]

Good guess I’m 14 Mr Patric and yes I wanna get better at jazz too

[@zakbarbezat]

excellent video. I think people who follow the typical wind instrument path of picking up their horn in school and gaining experience through concert band/jazz band end up in a bit of a bubble where the wrong things end up being prioritized. Your jazz festival scores or what chair you were in all state band is borderline meaningless outside a fraction of all the musicians in the world (which is a fraction of people in the world) I wouldnt say they're completely useless, because some of that has proven to be great motivators for some people, but I believe at some point you have to learn to make music for the sake of it, not to meet an arbitrary goal. The greats are praised for their artistry, not their achievements. The key difference between those being the former can only come out of love/appreciation and the latter has much more to do with competition/a desire to be better than others.

[@trystanfritts2400]

Hey brother. First off thank you. Secondly, is there any way to get in contact with you? I have some questions offline. God bless Patrick, keep swinging and sharing this art

[@martindalmasi5340]

Now that I reflect on it- when I was getting into Stravinsky and Dolphy, I should of had headphones on. (My family STILL thinks I’m insane and a horrible musician with strange choices of listening to).

[@somdomm]

patrick you need to come to my school and save my band 😔

[@ChrisRamos-s4w]

WOOOOOOO

[@marvinparadroid]

Beautiful video Patrick, thanks for the words, seriously. On A tangent note, sorry to annoy you but... would be a way to contact you directly? Thanks in advance for the attention, hope you read this.

[@frederikmarohn6358]

Project 251

[@matthewbenedict5923]

jazz school felt so far from jazz music

[@martindalmasi5340]

It felt ego competitive and a lot of bullshit and offensive

[@paulgibby6932]

"You can't teach jazz like it's a job, cuz there is no work!" 😂

[@alexmedeiros1679]

jazz students need to quote the lick more often