Here’s a structured learning path for a classical pianist transitioning into jazz piano. This path will gradually build jazz-specific skills while leveraging classical technique.
Phase 1: Foundations of Jazz Piano (Weeks 1-4)
Goal: Learn basic jazz chords, rhythms, and feel.
- Chord Essentials (8hr 10min)
- Learn major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords.
- Play common jazz progressions and inversions.
- Develop rhythmic patterns for comping.
- Jazz Piano Blueprint for Beginners (1hr 11min)
- Learn chord shells for jazz accompaniment.
- Play a simple jazz standard with left-hand comping.
- Understand basic jazz rhythm and swing feel.
- Strengthen jazz-relevant scales and chords.
- Learn seventh chords and inversions.
Phase 2: Jazz Accompaniment & Comping (Weeks 5-8)
Goal: Develop left-hand comping and play jazz standards.
- Learn jazz standards using simple chord shells.
- Play left-hand voicings and comping patterns.
- Improve hand independence.
- The Confident Improviser™ Mini Course (2hr 9min)
- Learn how to start improvising with scales.
- Develop left-hand accompaniment patterns.
Phase 3: Exploring Jazz Ballads & Arrangements (Weeks 9-12)
Goal: Learn to play ballads with expressive voicings.
- Play a jazz ballad with lush voicings.
- Improve melodic phrasing and left-hand comping.
- Learn reharmonization techniques.
- Develop jazz ballad improvisation.
Phase 4: Swing, Blues, & Improvisation (Weeks 13-16)
Goal: Develop a swing feel and basic jazz improvisation.
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- No Bull Guide to Jazz Piano (Beginner) (7hr 3min)
- Learn the 12-bar blues progression.
- Develop basic jazz comping and improvisation techniques.
- Slow, Blues Improvisation (1hr 21min)
- Practice improvising with blues scales and chord tones.
- Work on rhythmic variations and phrasing.
Phase 5: Expanding Jazz Vocabulary & Improvisation (Weeks 17-20)
Goal: Gain confidence in jazz harmony and soloing.
- No Bull Guide to Jazz Piano (Advanced)(6hr 28min)
- Master guide tones, rootless voicings, and comping techniques.
- Strengthen improvisation over jazz blues progressions.
- Anyone Can Improvise in 3 Easy Steps(1hr 2min)
- Use left-hand grooves and blues licks for improvisation.
- Improve rhythmic confidence and soloing techniques.
Final Phase: Playing Full Jazz Arrangements (Weeks 21-24)
Goal: Apply jazz skills to full arrangements and develop fluency.
- My Way – Jazz Piano Arrangement(2hr 6min)
- Play a full jazz piano arrangement with expressive phrasing.
- Apply chord voicings and improvisation techniques.
- Just the Way You Are – Pop & Jazz Piano Arrangement(3hr 53min)
- Blend jazz harmony into pop tunes.
- Work on left-hand comping and right-hand soloing.
What’s Next?
After completing this path, you’ll be comfortable with jazz harmony, comping, and basic improvisation. You can:
- Learn more jazz standards using the Super Simple Standards approach.
- Dive deeper into improvisation with The Confident Improviser™ series.
- Explore advanced reharmonization and soloing techniques in modern jazz.
This structured path ensures a smooth transition from classical to jazz, focusing on harmony, rhythm, improvisation, and arrangement. Let me know if you need modifications!
