How to Add Bebop Language to Your Jazz Improv (Next Step After Levels 1 & 2)
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn If you’ve been practicing rhythm and chord tone improvisation from Levels 1 and 2, it’s time for your next breakthrough — adding bebop language. In this jazz piano lesson, I’ll show you how to connect your chord tones with bebop approach notes and enclosures so your lines sound more authentic, fluid, and […]
How to Know When You’re Ready to Move On in Jazz Piano
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I ready to move on?” — this episode is for you.
One of the biggest reasons jazz piano players get stuck is because they don’t have clear benchmarks to tell them when a skill is actually mastered — or when they’re just getting by.
In this episode, I break down how to measure your progress the right way so you stop bouncing between random exercises and finally start building a solid foundation.
You’ll learn:
Why moving on too early kills your progress (and how to avoid it)
The 3 benchmarks I use with every student before we advance to the next concept
How my new Improvisation Goal inside Jazz Piano School helps you see and feel your progress clearly — so you know exactly when it’s time to level up
Whether you’re working on comping, solo piano, or improvisation, this episode will help you stop guessing and start growing with purpose.
Next Steps
The full Improvisation Goal and a complete platform upgrade are launching this Black Friday inside Jazz Piano School.
Get on the VIP Black Friday List now to get early access, lifetime membership discounts, and the brand-new learning experience:
https://jazzpianoschool.com/blackfriday2025
Join the Conversation
Do you use personal benchmarks when you practice?
Share your thoughts and progress inside the Improvisation Goal Space in the new Jazz Piano School community — I’d love to hear what you’re working on.
Why I Rebuilt Jazz Piano School (And What’s Coming Next)
Download: MP3 Audio55 MB Facebook Twitter LinkedIn After more than a decade of running Jazz Piano School, I hit a wall.Hundreds of courses, thousands of lessons… and still, something felt off. Students were overwhelmed. I was, too.Somewhere along the way, the heart of it — the simplicity, the joy, the clarity — got buried under […]
Haunting Jazz Piano Progressions: 5 Minor Chord Sequences That Send Chills
Download: MP3 Audio22 MB Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Looking to give your jazz piano playing a dark, cinematic edge this Halloween? In this episode, I’ll show you 5 haunting minor progressions that completely transform the mood of your playing — from eerie to elegant, from ghostly to film-score beautiful. You’ll learn how to: Create the smoky […]
Haunted Jazz Piano Improvisation: 3 Scales That Give You a Spooky Sound
Download: MP3 Audio0 B Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Ready to add a little mystery to your solos this Halloween? In this episode, I’ll show you 3 scales that instantly create dark, haunting colors in your improvisation — perfect for October or anytime you want your playing to sound cinematic and edgy. You’ll learn how to: Create floating, […]
Spooky Jazz Chords: 3 Creepy Voicings You Can Use in Jazz
Download: MP3 Audio25 MB Facebook Twitter LinkedIn It’s officially spooky season — and what better way to celebrate than with some haunted-sounding jazz chords? In this Halloween-themed episode, I’ll show you 3 “creepy” voicings that instantly change the mood of your playing — whether you’re comping, arranging, or improvising. You’ll learn how to: Create chilling […]
3 Easy Comping Rhythms You Can Use on Any Tune
Download: MP3 Audio22 MB Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tired of playing the same old chords when you comp? In this episode, I’ll show you 3 simple comping rhythms that work on any tune — and instantly make your playing feel more professional and groovy. You’ll learn how to: Use the Charleston rhythm to create swing right […]
3 Easy Patterns That Unlock Jazz Soloing
Download: MP3 Audio15 MB Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Struggling to make your solos sound clear and intentional? In this episode, I’ll break down 3 easy jazz improv patterns that you can drop into any ii–V–I and instantly sound more professional. You’ll learn how to: Use a simple 3–5–7–9 line to outline the harmony with clarity Land […]
3 Improv Warm-Ups That Make You Instantly Sound Better
Download: MP3 Audio22 MB MP3 Audio0 B Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Want your solos to feel smoother and more connected — without learning a million licks? In this episode, I’ll share 3 improv warm-ups that sharpen your technique and make your playing sound better right away. You’ll learn how to: Practice scales that resolve into chord […]
The Drop 2 Voicing Myth (And How to Use the Root Like a Pro)
Download: MP3 Audio21 MB Facebook Twitter LinkedIn You’ve probably heard the rule: “Drop 2 voicings are always rootless.” Well… not exactly. In this episode, I’ll show you why that’s a myth — and how to use Drop 2 voicings with the root to sound full, modern, and professional. You’ll learn: The difference between textbook Drop 2 and real-world usage When […]