Jake Smolowe

History

Jake fell in love with the languages of music theory, harmony, melody and rhythm early in life and found teaching piano to be a natural fit, as it allows him to explain his favorite concepts to others on a regular basis. He studied music at Stanford University, and started teaching privately in 2005 while still in school. He graduated in 2006 with a B.A. in Music with Honors in Composition, and currently teaches Zoom lessons from his studio in S.F., CA. In addition to his private teaching practice, Jake has 15 years of experience as an assistant lecturer for Stanford jazz program director Jim Nadel's Continuing Studies Program Jazz Listening class (2003-2019), and 4 years of experience as a rhythm section and piano coach for Stanford Jazz Workshop's Giant Steps middle school big band (2015-2018). Jake also teaches online through his YouTube channel and on Patreon. Jake has performed with many Bay Area jazz, rock and soul groups, and hopes to be back out there playing music soon!

Specialties

Jake teaches jazz and other popular piano styles to all ages & experience levels. He emphasizes practical learning without adhering to a strict curriculum--learn what you want when you want it, & what you need when you need it. Specialties: - Fundamentals - read, write & internalize notes, rhythms, key signatures & musical terminology - learn scales, intervals, chords & arpeggios - play in time, practice efficiently & effectively - train by ear - be confident at the piano alone or in a group - listen to and analyze songs - Jazz theory & harmony - harmonize melodies, re-harmonize chord progressions - learn voice leading - move quickly & gracefully from chord to chord - navigate melodies, then improvise your own - maximal performance, minimal effort - Songs & grooves in a wide variety of styles - jazz - funk - blues - rock - gospel - soul - latin - beginning classical - odd-meter Flexible rates/hours.