Improvisation can feel overwhelming, even when you’re technically playing the “right” notes. One concept I’ve been using in my own practice and with students is called “anchor phrases.”

It’s a fun, manageable, and creative way to blend the language of jazz improvisation into your own playing.

When we practice improvisation, it can be easy to get caught up chasing new things.

• New scales.
• New licks.
• New chord substitutions.

Those things can be great, but in that quest, it can be easy to overlook one of the most powerful tools we have as improvisers: The melody. 

The melody is t...

In this video, I break the blues down into ten focused levels that will help you gain a deeper understanding of the form. Let's dig in!

These are some things I would have done differently had I known better when I was younger.

Why Is Jazz So Hard to Learn?

Learning jazz is deeply rewarding but often overwhelming. Here’s 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. It’s easy to feel lost.

F...

Join me in the practice room as we dive into the brilliance of Wayne Shorter's stunning composition "Wildflower," the closing track on "Speak No Evil," recorded Christmas Eve 1964. This tune captures Wayne's unique composition voice, brought to life with Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carte...

Are you getting everything you can out of what you practice? (Are you sure?)

This week’s video kicks off The Core—a series where I take short transcribed passages and uncover the wealth of lessons hidden within. My goal is to show how much you can learn from even a small piece of material, he...

I'm excited to share with you 3 classic II V I lines in a major key, all using bebop language. These lines are packed with ideas to help spark your creativity and elevate your playing to the next level. I've got some powerful practice tips that'll show you how to blend this new vocabulary seamles...