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...

As jazz pianists, we often get caught up in abstract concepts and complex ideas. Sometimes, it’s refreshing to focus on something concrete. Today, I’m sharing 4 beautiful, two-handed jazz piano voicings that will immediately improve your sound and expand your harmonic...

Do you know the 3rd and 7th of every 7th chord?

If not, you’re 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...

Let's talk about secondary dominants!

Understanding secondary dominants early is key to deepening harmonic knowledge and musical creativity. While learning diatonic seventh chords in major keys is foundational, secondary dominants unlock hidden layers in harmony and improvisation.

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...

This week's video shows you three classic II V I lines in a minor key, all using bebop language.

These lines are packed with ideas in the bebop idiom:

Enclosures, bebop scales, arpeggios, pivoting, transposition...

It's all here!

I also revisit 3 practice tips from the Major II V I video that...

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...

Are you stuck in your practice routine or seeking new inspiration? Start implementing COMBINATION PRACTICE! This super-effective method will accelerate your growth, deepen your understanding, and boost your overall improvement.

So, what is it? It’s simple—COMBINE the various concepts...

A question I often get is "What scales can I play on a V7 chord?"

Well, ask and ye shall receive!

This week's YouTube video shows you the many scale choices you have for a V7 chord.

What do I mean by V7 chord? It's a chord that FUNCTIONS as a V7 chord in a key (V7 to I, which is G7 [V7]...

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...

I’m going to share 11 essential skills to become a badass jazz musician! If you focus on these, I promise you will improve.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
0:32 Skill 1: Intervals
2:31 Skill 2: Key Signatures, Circle of 5th’s (4th’s)
4:02 Skill 3: Dominant Chords (including Secondary...

Let's dive deep into 10 essential licks that will take your playing to the next level. Whether you’re new to jazz or looking to add more expression to your solos, practicing this LANGUAGE will help you break free from simply running scales.

What makes these licks special? They’re...