4 Guidelines for Pentatonic Improv

Don’t use pentatonics exclusively – This gets old fast. Pentatonics work best when they are mixed in with other harmonic language and textures. By combining pentatonics with chord-scale relationships, you can create countless paths to navigate changes. Start inside, take it out, then bring it back in – Pentatonics create tension. For this tension to […]

JPS Ep:162 – 12 Improv Strategies To Jam Out On 1 or 2 Chords (Funk)

What do you do when you are jamming out on 2 chords?…or even 1 CHORD?! Does your mind start freezing up? Well don’t worry, in this podcast, I use my electric rhodes sound on my keyboard and give you 12 strategies that you can use to improvise when you’re jamming out on 1 or 2 chord harmonies. I demonstrate in a funk style manner but these can also be used in any jazz tunes as well. Enjoy!

JPS Ep:161 – How to Practice Like a Pro Pt. 2: “Time In!”

For the second installment of this series, we’ll be talking about one of the most important aspects of music: TIME. When it comes to practicing, time can be a factor that makes or breaks the efficacy of your practice session. Find out how you can optimize your practicing through good use of time!

Nat King Cole’s Scorching Turnaround on Sweet Georgia Brown (LOTW #155)

Your average music consumer likely knows of Nat King Cole as a swooning singer from the golden era of jazz, but man could that guy play! Before his time in the limelight, Nat was known as an influential pianist with virtuosic abilities. Here is a cut from “Sweet Georgia Brown” as played by Nat and […]

The Nat King Cole Piano Slide Lick (LOTW #154)

Nat King Cole was one of the greatest artists of our time. As a pianist and vocalist, he inspired a generation of musicians in the 1940’s and 50’s, bridging the gap between the swing and bebop eras. This week’s lick showcases a fun trick he would often use, involving a glissando up multiple octaves of […]

3 Jazz Piano Lessons From Golf

As Brenden likes to say, there are a lot of similarities between golf and jazz improv.  In fact, golf was Bill Evans’ favorite pastime.  Just like jazz, there are no shortcuts to success in golf.  The way to get better is to play as much as possible.  However, there are specific exercises that, along with […]

Jazz Piano School
Your first step to sounding like a pro

Get our Free Jazz Piano Learning E-Book

A simple framework for all levels that shows you exactly what to practice, what to ignore, and how to reach your playing goals in the shortest amount of time. 

Where would you like the roadmap sent?