Jazz Piano School

Improvisation Paths: Blues, Bebop, Modern

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.

Why You Shouldn’t Start Jazz Improv With Scales

The host explores why aspiring jazz pianists often give up too soon, likening it to the tale of gold miners who quit before striking it rich. Common pitfalls include overthinking, distractions, and the urge to chase flashy techniques. Emphasizing mastery of fundamental tools, the discussion encourages focused practice on one element at a time. Listeners are challenged to embrace slow, messy progress and avoid dabbling in multiple areas. The insight into the importance of basic repetition, like scales, highlights the path to proficiency.

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)

Haunting Jazz Piano Progressions: 5 Minor Chord Sequences That Send Chills

Haunted Jazz Piano Improvisation: 3 Scales That Give You a Spooky Sound

Spooky Jazz Chords: 3 Creepy Voicings You Can Use in Jazz

3 Easy Comping Rhythms You Can Use on Any Tune