Jazz Piano School The Real Path To Jazz Piano Improvisation
Nov 24, 2025
Discover the secrets to jazz piano improvisation with insights on why traditional teaching often misses key fundamentals. Learn how to effectively use chord tones and connect them with scales to create fluid melodies. Brendan emphasizes the importance of rhythm and introduces three stylistic paths—blues, bebop, and modern—exploring unique characteristics and vocabularies. He also shares tools for applying these concepts across genres, encouraging listeners to record their performances for self-analysis and improvement.
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Frustration With Vague Teaching
- Brendan Lowe recounts being given vague improv advice like "swing harder" without clear building blocks.
- That experience drove him to build a structured improvisation system at Jazz Piano School.
Start With Chord Tones
- Brendan Lowe says the first essential step is expressing the chord's harmony using chord tones.
- If you can't improvise with chord tones, you won't sound like you're playing through the changes.
Scales Connect Chord Tones
- Brendan Lowe explains scales exist mainly to connect chord tones smoothly.
- Using scales lets you move fluidly between chord tones instead of jumping and sounding choppy.