KO-MAY SHIBATA
About
I am a jazz pianist, improviser, and educator with over 30 years of teaching experience.
I have taught more than 3,000 students, ranging from beginners to professional musicians.
I am a graduate of Berklee College of Music and have performed and worked in New York, where I gained practical experience in jazz performance and improvisation.
I have also performed with Fernando Barranco (drums).
In Japan, I founded and currently direct the music school SPOONFUL MUSIC, where I have been teaching jazz piano, improvisation, and theory for many years.
My students include amateurs, serious jazz students, and professional musicians.
My background as both a performer and long-term educator allows me to explain complex musical concepts in a clear, structured, and practical way, always connecting theory to real musical expression.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is clear, structured, and highly personalized.
I carefully listen to each student and identify what they truly need at their current stage.
Rather than relying on intuition, imitation, or fixed methods, I explain musical concepts through structure and logic, always connecting them directly to sound and real musical situations.
I believe that music is a language and a tool for communication.
For this reason, my lessons focus not only on technique and theory, but also on understanding why we make certain musical choices and how to express musical ideas with intention.
I adapt my teaching to each individual’s personality, background, and goals.
Whether a student is just beginning jazz or working at a professional level, I aim to provide precise guidance, practical tools, and a supportive learning environment.
Students often describe my lessons as clear, kind, and insightful, and many say they finally understand concepts that previously felt confusing.
My goal is to help students build a strong, flexible foundation that supports long-term musical growth and genuine self-expression.
Curriculum
My teaching method is flexible and student-centered.
I do not follow a single fixed method or textbook.
Instead, I assess each student’s level, background, and goals, and then choose the most effective approach for that individual.
Teaching Method
Lessons are based on clear structure, logical understanding, and practical application.
Concepts are always explained in a way that connects theory directly to sound and musical expression.
Depending on the student, lessons may involve:
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Playing and listening as the primary tools
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Using short written examples, diagrams, or PDF materials when helpful
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Analyzing the student’s current repertoire or practice materials
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Reducing complexity to clarify musical intention
I focus on helping students understand how to think musically, not just what to play.
Use of Method Books and Texts
Method books are used as supporting materials, not as the core of the lesson.
If a student is already using materials such as The Real Book or Jamey Aebersold play-alongs, I help them:
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Understand how to use these materials effectively
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Go beyond surface-level practice
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Apply the concepts musically rather than mechanically
Rather than following books page by page, we analyze and reinterpret the material so that it becomes a tool for musical understanding and communication.
Custom Materials
When needed, I provide custom exercises, explanations, and examples, created specifically for the student’s current challenges.
This allows the lesson content to remain focused, relevant, and immediately applicable, regardless of the student’s level.
Credentials & Affiliations
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Graduate of Berklee College of Music
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Professional jazz pianist, improviser, and educator
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Over 30 years of teaching experience
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Taught more than 3,000 students, from beginners to professional musicians
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Founder and director of the music school SPOONFUL MUSIC (Japan)
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Professional experience in New York
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Performance experience with Fernando Barranco (drums)