The more I teach, the more I think the only thing that has any value is integrating skills: Interview with David Berkman

In this interview David Berkman talks about many subjects, among them improvisation, and why classical musicians should improvise more. David Berkman: ‘I would say most Jazz musicians have a certain level of theoretical understanding of what they’re doing, and it’s probably higher than that of the average classical performer, because they are making scales on chords. I wouldn’t say it’s higher in the sense that they know more theory, but they have more practical theory at their disposal, since what they’re focused on is making up the notes, coming up with the theoretical structure.’ David also discusses ear training, the importance of singing, teaching students how to practice and why lessons at schools are utterly unnecessary. David Berkman: ‘The more I teach, the more I think that the classes are almost worthless. I mean that’s my personal belief. More and more, I feel the most important thing is having direct contact with the student while they’re playing and you’re playing and you’re working something out.’