Syllabus Overview
The New Orleans Piano Learning Path is a guided tour into the city’s vibrant musical culture. These step-by-step lessons teach you syncopated the phrasing and colorful voicings that define the genre.
We trace the evolution from early stride and rumba patterns to modern funk-infused harmony. This syllabus suits players who already know basic jazz or blues progressions and wish to deepen their rhythm, independence, and expressive feel.
Learning Path
Taught by New Orleans piano legends Jon Cleary & Josh Paxton, this syllabus explores the styles of iconic players such as James Booker, Dr. John, and Henry Butler, guiding you through the grooves, harmonies, and techniques that define the genre.
Foundations of the New Orleans Sound
We begin by exploring how rhythm and culture shaped the piano traditions of New Orleans. You will learn to feel the second-line groove, understand its connection to early jazz, and start developing the relaxed yet propulsive pulse that underpins every style in this syllabus.
Blues, Funk & R&B Grooves
Expand your musical palette with the sounds of New Orleans Blues. Learn 12/8 shuffles, syncopated comping, and tasty turnarounds. Discover how syncopated bass lines, chromatic passing chords, and right hand rhythmic phrasing create that distinctive laid-back swagger.
New Orleans Piano Legends
Celebrate the brilliance of James Booker, Dr. John, and Henry Butler. Explore Booker’s dazzling three-hand approach, Dr. John’s soulful voicings, and Butler’s stride-funk fusion. Each lesson blends technique and artistry to help you capture their unmistakable feel.
Improvisation and Performance
Bring all the ingredients together through expressive solo piano performance. You will develop hand independence, authentic phrasing, and confidence to create grooves that move effortlessly between blues, jazz, and funk. The goal is to play freely in your own authentic New Orleans voice.
Courses
The The Grooves of New Orleans contains 4 courses which should be studied in the following order:
1. New Orleans Blues, Funk, & R&B
2. New Orleans Piano Legends
3. Jon Cleary’s Blues Masterclass
4. New Orleans Blues Studies
Your Teachers
Jon Cleary
Jon Cleary is a British-born American funk and R&B musician based in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he has studied the musical culture and life of New Orleans for 35 years.
View Full Bio
Josh Paxton
Josh Paxton is a fixture on the New Orleans music scene, performing as a solo artist, group leader, and sideman with many of the Crescent City's top names.
View Full Bio
Start Your Jazz Piano Journey Today
Try risk-free with our 100% money back guarantee
Syllabuses provide a structured path to work through the lessons and courses. Step-by-step guides for voicings, improv, hand independence, and much more.
Get Started NowStudent Reviews
It’s what our students say that really means something. We use Trustpilot because it tells us – and everyone else – exactly what real students think of our online school and community. These reviews tell us what our students love. What they love a little less. And where there’s room for us to improve. Read on to find out what PianoGroove’s students think of our service:
