Private Lesson: $90 / hour
Welcome piano beginners, jazz beginners, and other instrument players
Location: Student’s house or online (via Zoom)
Lesson Structure
Phase 1: Building the Foundations
- Basic Jazz Harmony and Chords
- Learning 7th chords (Major 7, Minor 7, Dominant 7)
- Understanding Rhythm and Swing Feel
- Fundamentals of swing rhythm
- Basic walking bass exercises (using Oscar Peterson’s Jazz Hanon)
- Playing Simple Jazz Standards
- Learning “Autumn Leaves” and 12-bar blues
- Left-hand comping (chord playing) and right-hand melody playing
- Ear Training and Listening Skills
- Recognizing chord qualities by ear
- Playing short phrases by ear
Phase 2: Improvisation and Application
- Jazz Phrasing and Development
- Practicing simple phrases in all 12 keys
- Chord Progressions and Improvisation Practice
- Mastering II-V-I progressions
- Creating simple solos using approach notes
- Reading Lead Sheets and Practical Application
- Understanding chord symbols
- Jam Session Preparation and Performance
- Learning commonly played jam session tunes (e.g., “Blue Bossa,” “All the Things You Are”)
- Practicing in a real session format (inviting a bassist to the studio for regular jam sessions)
Additional Notes:
- Students should listen to jazz regularly and familiarize themselves with tunes as much as possible
- Lessons focus on simple and practical approaches to ensure steady progress
- The goal is to prepare students to participate in jam sessions and perform confidently