Whole Music Education

Private/Group Sessions & Workshops:
(Virtually and In-Person)

Isaac Raz is the Founder and President of Whole Music LLC, an organization dedicated to holistic music education, artistic development, and the integration of craft, creativity, and personal growth.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music and recipient of the Duke Ellington Award, Isaac also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Lehman College, CUNY. His pedagogical approach is informed by over a decade of intensive study with Barry Harris and decades of professional experience as a composer and performer.

Through Whole Music LLC, Isaac mentors emerging artists, develops curriculum, and builds programs that emphasize technical mastery, improvisational fluency, and emotional intelligence. His work as an educator bridges conservatory-level rigor with accessibility, empowering students to find both their voice and their discipline.

For more information or a personal consultation, please Contact Us.

The Bob Mover Jazz Lexicon (Isaac Raz Co-Author)

by Bob Mover and Isaac Raz

Youtube

Check out Isaac Raz’s Youtube channel for more educational content:

Our Philosophy

Why do Music?

From the moment we can hear our first sounds in the womb we are surrounded by music: the perception or creation of order in sound. It is ubiquitous in nature, and is unique to humans at the same time.

One can take that a step further and say that music governs the workings of the universe, from the periods of planets to the very nature of matter as suggested in string theory.

Keeping this in mind, we as humans need music because in a way we are made of it. Not to practice music is to deny oneself a critical connection to the world and to the self.

It is the one universal element in all of human culture. It has far reaching physical mental and emotional benefits - and it's just plain nice.

Music for the whole person

Musical practice is unique among all the arts in that it encompasses the entirety of all of the brain. From the brain stem which governs our motor reflexes, to the cortex where our complex thoughts and emotions occur. 

Cutting edge neuroscience using technologies like the PET scan that allow us a glimpse into the living working brain show that the practice of music -not the passive consumption of it as a listener - but actively practicing it by singing or playing an instrument, causes every region of the brain to light up simultaneously: motor, cognitive, audio/visual, emotional and language. 

Music as Medicine:

As a result of this, applications for music as medicine have been used with astonishing results. An autistic child can memorize her parent's work phone number, a Parkinson's patient can regulate his walking gait, or a stroke victim can build new language communication pathways where normal speech centers have been damaged. These are only some of the remarkable effects music has on our physical mind, not to mention its emotional effects, which are well known. It is also important to note that the best benefits have been shown to come from active performance and improvisation, and not just by listening passively.

Music for a rich life:

Of course, it's not just for therapy. It has been shown that those who practice music tend to do better in every other area. Music has commonality not only with mathematics as is often said, but also with literature and history. It develops the mind body spirit connection like nothing else can, it develops social and leadership skills, brings families together, gives reticent children a sense of accomplishment and pride in a skill that everybody admires when they do well, and much, much more.

This is at the heart of our approach to all we do:

Our Teaching Approach:

The real benefits of music on the whole person only happen with a strong and well-grounded proficiency in the practice. No matter what the level, the benefit is in the doing. This is why we never water down or simplify the practice as is so often done today by many popular methods. Especially at the beginner level, crucial skills like solfege and ear training, proficiency in all keys, and improvisation are completely omitted in favor of simplified rote-learning methods. Perhaps it's to try to appeal to a broader audience, with the belief that if it appeared 'easier' it would somehow be more 'appealing'.

We believe that approach is neither beneficial nor necessary. What it ends up doing is just causing most students to eventually drop out because such shallow exposure never allowed a useful practice to develop beyond playing simplified versions of familiar melodies. With such an outcome, it is understandable that people get bored and quit. The answer? Results beget Motivation. Get good at it fast, right from the start and you are more likely to benefit from it.

The musical system we use is so elegant and simple, so there is no need to reinvent the wheel and simplify it further. While rote learning does play a part in a broader learning effort, it is our belief that music needs to be taught as a whole language to truly get the benefits and to really make it 'fun'. As in golf, tennis, skateboarding, or anything else, it's more fun when you're better at it. 

Never underestimate the power of a beginner.

"I am tone deaf" ... "I was never the musical one in the family" ...

Wrong.

If you breathe you can do music - well. It is all in how you individually interact with the myriad of elements in musical practice, and how the coordination of them is introduced to you. The teacher has to be sensitive to all the intelligences displayed by the student and must use the strengths to shore up the weaknesses. Always bearing in mind that no matter at what level, even the most basic proficiency in improvisation - making your own music - has far-reaching holistic benefits. It doesn't have to be complicated to be good.

"Whole" Music

Think of "whole music" as you would "whole wheat": Whole wheat is better for you - it stays with you longer, it's more satisfying, and it's more nutritious, whereas the refined product may seem more appealing in the short run but has no real benefit.

If you come to us for music instruction you can expect a thorough and well-rounded learning outcome, one that you can actually use to express yourself, or to provide a haven for personal creativity, no matter what style you like. You will be able to do them all - and in a surprisingly short time, if done right.

Practice:

Of course "doing it right" also includes learning to design and incorporate a routine into one's life. Learning to do this is a skill all by itself. The art of learning - teaching one's self - is one of the key ways musical practice benefits every other pursuit. It's like the user's manual for the mind.

Bach, Blues, Beatles, Broadway:

Of course there's much, much more out there, but to start, these make a wonderful thorough and diverse base from which to become proficient in a rich cross-section of our modern musical language.

Bach was the "Isaac Newton of Notes". His teaching works have explained the movement of notes in the same way Newton explained the movement of apples and planets. All the composers who came afterwards in one way or another have expanded on his work. This is why we go to him first. Bearing in mind that in his world music was primarily improvised, we go to him to learn music literacy, performance, improvisation, and composition simultaneously, and holistically.

Also, very importantly, he was clearly concerned with the quality of music and artistic integrity above all. This can clearly be seen in his own hand when he writes of the Inventions' design to help students develop a "singing style" of playing. The whole idea was about music for delectation as well as education. We can definitely go with that aesthetic!

Blues:  The origin of the blues sound is truly global, and has evolved to become an inseparable part of modern music. It is difficult to think of any current music out there that doesn't integrate it one way or another. Having a familiarity with it, and its improvisational nature then, should be introduced early in the process.

Beatles:  One could think of the Beatles as the "Bach of Pop". They were, if nothing else, consistent. There is just the right recipe of ease vs. challenge, repetition vs. development, lyrical vs. aggressive styles, to help the student develop the relevant skills for interpretation of modern music. Plus the tunes are just plain good. It seems most would agree no Beatles song fits Gillespie's second category...

Broadway:  This is where the other three B's interact freely. This uniquely American repertoire has truly global reach, and such a rich and varied selection of styles to interact with. It is really the source for learning how to compose and perform in a popular genre, with firm roots grounded in traditional practice.

Testimonials

“I received many complements ... for big improvement in my vocal quality. [They] said at first they didn't recognize it was me! Thank you!”

-Jackie M

"I have finally found a music instructor that hits the right chord!  Unlike most teachers I have had in the past, Isaac intuitively understands what I am looking to accomplish and has thoughtfully  laid out a program to help me reach my goals.   Isaac's teaching methods combine the theoretical, physical, emotional  and mental aspects of music in a way that is both fun and highly digestible.  Through Isaac's guidance, I have gained a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of music which has in  turn empowered me to play types of music sooner and better than I thought possible.  Whether its classical, R&B, blues or popular classics – its all connected and Isaac brings these connections to light in a laid back, fun and personal way."

- Leo G

"Isaac has been teaching our daughter piano for about 5 years. He brings a sense of joy and a spirit exploration which provide a wonderful platform for a child to be exposed to music. NYSSMA prep, Bach, Mozart, Beatles and Beethoven."

– Nick G. 

" Isaac Raz has taught our children piano for over three years.  Our son began piano lessons at school and we first worked with Isaac over a summer as a way to continue with piano instruction while school was not in session.  However, we quickly realized how much more enjoyable and productive the lessons were under Isaac’s tutelage and switched to having our son take lessons year round with Isaac.  When our daughter observed our son being taught by Isaac, she asked to take lessons with him as well.  The progress both have made under Isaac has been phenomenal.  Isaac knows how to inspire our children with a variety of song styles, fun practice drills and is even teaching them music theory at a very young age. They truly look forward to Isaac’s weekly visit."

– Alice L. 

"Isaac has been my daughter's piano/voice teacher for the past 5 years. He is not only an extremely talented musician, but a nurturing teacher and role model. He encourages his students to go above and beyond their comfort zone. Issac truly develops a "sacred" bond with his students and tremendous trust. He is is also very fair as far as makeup lessons. I highly recommend Isaac Raz."

– Lizandra V.