A Talk on Jazz, Improvisation, and Performance with Mr. Shay Salhov

Which instrument(s) do you teach? How long have you been teaching?

I teach saxophone, flute, clarinet and piano. I've been teaching saxophone for 25 years and piano, flute and clarinet for about 20.

You have degrees in both Classical Music and Jazz, how are they related/ helped each other when you perform and teach?

I got my Bachelor's degree in jazz, as it is my main musical interest, and my Master's degree in classical saxophone. Studying classical music helped me learn more about the saxophone (technique, sound production, intonation, posture etc.) and opened me up to a musical world I was not entirely familiar with before hand. My classical saxophone teacher was an incredible musician and aside from helping me out technically, he was able to infuse in me the importance of musicality, expression, phrasing and color and everything I play. I still draw inspiration in my jazz improvisation and composition from the classical pieces I've learned and performed during my Graduate studies, and am able to share all of that with my students.

Speaking about Jazz Improvisation, when did you start improvising and playing jazz? What do you suggest for the students who want to learn about improvisation?

I started studying jazz improvisation when I was 13, but really got into it around 17. When students ask me about jazz improvisation, I always ask "so who have you been listening to lately?" - as in what jazz artists inspired you to want to learn improvisation. Listening (and loving) jazz, from its earliest forms to its contemporary manifestations, is the first and most important requirement to really get into improvisation and jazz playing in general. Then, the students must learn all scales and arpeggios on the entire range of the instruments. The students also should immerse themselves in the theoretical part of it (chords progressions, chord scales, substitutions etc.). Learning as many jazz standards as possible and transcribing all the solos one can handle is what can help the students gain jazz vocabulary and put all of the above into practice.

You performed in NY and Boston a lot (intensively) as a live Jazz musician. Do you feel there are any differences between musicians/ teachers/ students between the East Coast and West Coast?

Not really. I believe that NYC has some of the best musicians on the planet, but from my experience here so far, the West Coast has a lot to offer as well. The same with the level of teachers and students in both Coasts.

What is one of your favorite scales or modes to play? And why?

I love them all! But, lately I've been trying to come up with some hybrid scales.

Legato has offered online lessons for a while now, how is that going? What benefits are there to online learning that in-person learning cannot offer? What are some benefits of in-person learning which are becoming an option this month?

Online lessons have been going pretty well for me. However, I really don't see any significant benefits to online lessons other than the safety of my students and myself and not having to drive to work. I personally prefer to be with the students in the same room. The sound quality on the platforms we've been using is questionable, which often makes it difficult to really know what the students sound like. Also, it makes it a bit hard to inspect the students' posture, sitting position, finger placement and other technical elements, and follow the music that their playing at the same time. Being in the room with the students makes all of that much easier.

How often do you recommend your students practice each week?

Every day, for at least the time length of the lesson in every practice session.

In what ways do you see music positively impact other parts of students' lives?

Playing music is one of the best forms of communication. Students can find a very efficient form to express themselves with and communicate with their peers. I also believe that music heightens our curiosity. We all have been in that situation where we fell in love with a piece of music and really wanted to learn it. The feeling of achievement after the hard work we've put into learning that piece is immensely gratifying.

What is one thing you wish you told yourself as a younger musician?

Sit down and practice, especially on the things you're not familiar with or good at! Keep taking lessons with anyone better than you.

Who do you look up to as inspiration as an educator or otherwise?

Amikam Kimelman, who was my saxophone teacher from my high school days in Israel; Hal Crook, who was the jazz improvisation teacher that completely changed my thinking in Berklee; and Ken Radnofsky, who was my classical saxophone teacher at The Boston Conservatory. 

What is an interesting part of saxophones or clarinets that most people don’t think about?

I have 2 kittens. Recently, I realized that the bell of a saxophone is a perfect-sized hiding place for a kitten.

Are there any musical projects you are currently working on you'd like to share more about?

My jazz quartet is in the process of mixing/mastering our first album. Release is currently TBA. so stay tuned!

www.shay.salhov.com

Philosophy of Music & Teaching Today - An Interview with Nick Hewett

Which instruments do you teach? For how many years have you been teaching?

I primarily teach trumpet, but also teach trombone and euphonium. I've been teaching for over fifteen years.

How did you get into this field? Do you have any particular moments early on in your life that inspired you to become a musician that you’d like to share? 

I grew up in a family that valued the arts tremendously. Though neither of my parents are musicians, they are both lovers of music, and I was exposed to lots of different music from an early age. I have a long lineage of the arts in my family - my great-great grandfather was music director at the Adelphi Theatre in London (and interestingly enough knew Charles Dickens), and he had children who were successful musicians. My grandfather was a wonderful pianist, draughtsman, and painter, my father is a painter, and my uncle is a musician and artist, so it was something that felt very natural to me.

What is your experience with performing outside of teaching? 

I consider my career as a performer to be central to my teaching. I've been performing professionally since I was around 16, and have been very fortunate to work with many great musicians, across almost every style. For a number of years, I performed regularly with a number of well-known jazz musicians, before doing more work with major symphony orchestras, recording sessions, and over the last decade have formed relationships with composers whose works I have premiered, and collaborated with some very inspiring visual artists in live performance.

To turn back music education, with the expansion in technology and way people consume information, how do you feel about technology's role in learning? What are some ways you can successfully learn online? 

As musicians and educators, I feel we have a responsibility to be open minded in our artistic practice and teaching. Evolution is essential in our field, and technology is just one such area that deserves our attention. I still remember the days when online lessons were impossible, followed by dial-up internet that made them impractical. The technology now is fantastic, and I am overwhelmed by how adept my students are with it. I feel that it is essential to maintain a close and honest relationship between teacher and student, so that our online learning maintains a personal feel.

What are some of the benefits of having an actual music instructor, versus going on Youtube (etc.) and trying to learn there?

While I feel that YouTube is an incredible resource for students and teachers, we must realize how easy it is for anyone to present their content online, regardless of what their qualifications may (or may not) be. Skepticism is essential when trawling through online resources, and establishing a relationship with a teacher who is qualified and experienced is the most important first step to learning an instrument (or anything else for that matter!) that any student can take.

Which techniques do you use in your life to stay diligent and on top of your own practice? Do you ever feel uninspired to practice? And if so, how have you overcome those challenges? 

​This is a terrific question, because I'm often asked about how I stay motivated 365 days of the year. My truthful answer is that I don't! There are, in fact, many days when I wake up and like anyone else, would rather be going to the beach or having coffee with friends than practicing the trumpet for hours.

“ I have been incredibly proud of my students achieving greatness through winning auditions and competitions, being accepted to excellent colleges, or becoming the best person and musician they can be.”

This is where discipline is far more important than inspiration - because no matter how I feel on any given day, I remind myself how important music is to me, and that if I want to continue to improve, I must practice regardless. This simple realization has been a valuable tool for me over the course of my career. Of course, I often draw inspiration from the world around me - whether it is in nature, art, music, food and wine, and these all contribute to how I make music.

What parts of your job are fulfilling to you?

Teaching my students is a constant challenge and inspiration. I have been incredibly proud of my students achieving greatness through winning auditions and competitions, being accepted to excellent colleges, or becoming the best person and musician they can be. I'm fortunate that at Legato I've been able to work with students who are passionate musicians and great people. Their commitment to learning their craft all in their own ways, while becoming admirable people is a wonderful experience for me.

Why is music education important today in the Bay Area?

Personally, I couldn't imagine living without music, art, wonderful food, national parks, or any of the things that make the Bay Area special. While technology is incredibly vital, and I admire innovation in science and technology, music and the arts offers all of us, including students, lessons of critical thinking, perseverance, engagement, and enjoyment (something we all need to make time for!) that is very difficult to find in other fields. Music education is another essential gear in the machinery of any successful society, especially in the Bay Area, where students often find themselves overwhelmed by the pace of everything.

Who's your favorite composer/ performer, at the moment, that you think would inspire people?

I almost never have a creative answer to this question, largely because I can't bring myself to name just one composer or performer, but when I'm forced to choose, I always go back to JS Bach. I love Bach's music (especially his choral writing), and still feel overwhelmed when I listen to his music, especially when performed on period instruments. I also spend a great deal of time listening to lieder, opera, and modern jazz. I feel that we all draw inspiration from different things in life, so I recommend listening to as much music as possible, and finding the things that you truly relate to. If anyone would like a comprehensive list of recommendations, please let me know!

Please provide any links to your own music or live videos, with a description!

If you visit nickhewett.com, you will find links to some of the work I've done, as well as links to social media, will give you some insight into my daily life as a musician.

Legato Shelter in Place Performance - Ryota and Rio (Duet)

We have a very special submission tonight, a jazz duet from Ryota and Rio. Ryota (electric guitar) is a 9th grader, and Rio (drums) is a 3rd grader and a student of Mr. Tim. They are performing the classic "Sunny" by Bobby Hebb. Not only was the guitar and drumming amazing, but the ingenuity pairing the duet in the video is nothing less than impressive! Ryota has extremely smooth playing, dancing between chords, scales and arpeggios. In conjunction, Rio's playing's really great with awesome fills and timing. She is fabulous! Thank you for the awesome submission.