One of the biggest breakthroughs in my own practice lately has been a return to something simple, but powerful...
The melody
As jazz musicians, weāre often drawn to all the ājuicy stuffā (exotic scales, enclosures, chord substitutions, hip chord voicings, blah blah blah). š In this search for m...
Struggling to make your scales sound like jazz? These 3 scale exercisesāMajor, Minor, and Dominant give you jazz improvisation language you'll ACTUALLY USE. Bring your scales to life using bebop scales, enclosures, arpeggios, and strong resolutions. No more boring scales!
In this video, Iāll break down Drop 2 voicings in a clear, simple way. Youāll learn the 4-Way Close foundation, how to build Drop 2 voicings on all the basic chord qualities, and get exercises to make them stick. Plus, I'll show you a couple movement exercises inspired by Barry Harris and Bill Ev...
If youāve spent time working on II V I progressions, especially in major keys, youāve probably leaned on the dorian mode for your IIm7 lines. Itās a classic. But sometimes, the dorian scale can feel a little⦠too expected.
My newest video shows you a 6-note scale that gives your IIm7 lines a mor...
These are some things I would have done differently had I known better when I was younger.
Want to unlock the full sound of the major modes? It's not just about memorizing scales.Ā It's about hearing them, feeling them, and making them a natural part of your playing.
In this video, I'll guide you through each mode, helping you internalize their unique colors and characteristics.
š¹ **W...
Etudes are one of the best ways to sharpen your playing, and in my latest video, Iām sharing three mini etudes designed to help you improvise over tonic minor chords with confidence.
If youāve downloaded my Jazz Warmups and Etudes packet but felt overwhelmed, these shorter studies are a great wa...
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The II V I progression is at the heart of jazz. If you want to play jazz piano confidently, mastering this progression is non-negotiable. With 3rds, 7ths, and good voice-leading, youāll be on your way to sounding like a pro.Ā Hereās a 4-step process to get there.
Before You StartĀ
- Circle of...
Why Is Jazz So Hard to Learn?
Learning jazz is deeply rewarding but often overwhelming. Hereās why it feels hard and how to make it easier.
Why Jazz Feels Hard
1. Overload of Information
Jazz has endless material: scales, chords, transcriptions, theory, and more. Itās easy to feel lost.
Fi...
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As jazz pianists, we often get caught up in abstract concepts and complex ideas. Sometimes, itās refreshing to focus on something concrete. Today, Iām sharing 4 beautiful, two-handed jazz piano voicings that will immediately improve your sound and expand your harmonic vocabulary.
These voici...
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Do you know the 3rd and 7th of every 7th chord?
If not, youāre missing out on one of the most essential foundational concepts in jazz harmony. Mastering 3rds and 7ths will transform how you approach jazz harmony, providing a solid foundation for more complex harmonic ideas.
In this video, Iā...