Jen's Teaching Approach:

I feel there is just one instrument and that is the person themselves.The closest expression of this innate instrument is the voice and the body in general.

If I sang some strange line, you would probably be able to mirror it back to me with your voice. Now if I asked you to play that strange line on piano or violin, it might take some time to find it on the instrument. People who can fluently play what they hear on an instrument have closed the gap between themselves and that instrument in terms of what they hear and what they can play.That can be a very free and wonderful space to be in especially if it's coupled with integrity and emotion.

Anyway, I think of musical instruments as mere symptoms of the true basic instrument, which is the person themself. If you want to get close to a guitar or piano... relate to it... have it speak the melodies and textures that are in your being- then it's helpful to first be able to sing it.

Instruments can also be thought of as puddy. They can be reinvented at any time. So if you give yourself permission, you should be able to pick up anything and make a few discoveries on it and be able to play those discoveries with emotion.

Now music theory is just fine and dandy, but in my opinion, should not be the focal point of music. For me, the point of music is most happily manifested when a person is just being genuine and soulful- whether they have training or not!

I do know some things about music theory, but it's not where my roots lay. My roots lay in a more emotional, personal place. When I teach, it's most often about helping to give people permission to sing out, play out, create…

I don't think there's any reason why a person can't approach a piano, lay down their hands and simple press down once and make it moving. But people don't often do this simple act because they're told from day one that they can't play their hearts until they learn all the technical and theoretical bullshit.

Well I don't agree.

I like to think of myself as a facilitator to people wanting to get deeper with music. I try to encourage people to express themselves and feel comfortable about making up their own rules. And with this, create a balance between the intent, the heart and the mind.

If you are interested in taking lessons with Jennifer (voice, piano, recording, music composition etc...), you may reach her at:
music@jenniferterran.com
or
call (805) 683-3878

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