Syllabus Overview
Our Beginners Jazz Syllabus is a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to learn the foundations of jazz harmony.
Who Is This Syllabus For?
- Students who are new to jazz piano
- Students who want to play from lead sheets and chord charts
- Students who 'play by ear' and want to understand the theory
- Students coming from a classical musical background
Starting with the absolute basics, we work 'from the ground up' teaching you keys, chords, scales, progressions, and most importantly; how it all fits together in context of our favourite tunes.
Learning Path
Our Beginners Jazz Syllabus can be broken down into 4 key areas of jazz theory. We cover the underlying theory, outline practice drills and exercises, and apply everything in context of our favourite tunes.
Major & Minor Scales
Scales are the foundation of harmony and the first step to understanding jazz. This course covers all the 12 major scales and how they are related to the circle of fifths. We cover the 3 types of minor scales: natural, harmonic & melodic.
Intervals, Triads & 7th Chords
The studies on intervals, triads, & 7th chords will teach you the basic building blocks to construct jazz chords and voicings. We explore chord inversions and arpeggios to prepare you for more advanced studies of jazz harmony.
The 251 Progression
The 251 progression is the most common progression in jazz music. Virtually every jazz tune will contain a 251 progression in some form. By mastering this progression you will become a more confident and competent jazz piano player.
Playing From Lead Sheets
With our basic knowledge of chords, scales, and progressions we can begin to apply this in context of tunes and jazz standards. To start we use simple chord voicings containing the root, the 3rd, the 7th, and the melody on top.
Courses
The Beginner Jazz Syllabus contains 3 courses which should be studied in the following order:
1. Jazz Piano Foundations
2. Cocktail Piano Improvisation
3. Bluesy Stride Piano For Beginners
Your Teachers
Hayden Hill
Hayden is a jazz pianist and educator from Manchester, UK. He founded PianoGroove in 2015 with the goal of making the world a more musical place. Hayden shares his love for jazz piano through his online courses and manages the community area of PianoGroove.
View Full BioDownloads
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12 Major Scales Worksheet File Type: pdf -
The Circle Of Fifths File Type: pdf
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Major Scale Fingerings PDF File Type: pdf
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36 Minor Scales Notation File Type: pdf
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Triads Notation & Worksheet File Type: pdf
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7th Chords In All 12 Keys File Type: pdf
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Major Scale Diatonic 7th Chords File Type: pdf
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3 Note Major 251 Progressions File Type: pdf
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Whole Step 3-Note 251s – Type A File Type: pdf
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Whole Step 3 Note 251s – Type B File Type: pdf
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Diatonic 7th Chords For Major Scale File Type: pdf
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F Major Diatonic Workbook File Type: pdf
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Foundations Practice Guide (simplified) File Type: pdf
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3-Note 251 Progressions PDF File Type: pdf
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Foundations PDF Practice Planner File Type: pdf
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Diatonic Harmony Drills File Type: pdf
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Spread Voicings Notation File Type: pdf
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Extended Voicings Notation File Type: pdf
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Stride Left Hand Voicings File Type: pdf
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Changing Chord Colours File Type: pdf
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Octaves & Chord Melodies File Type: pdf
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B Section Voicings Options File Type: pdf
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Turnaround Voicings Options File Type: pdf
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Targeting 3rds Notation File Type: pdf
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Targeting The 7ths Notation File Type: pdf
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Melody Inspiration Examples File Type: pdf
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Arpeggio Shapes & Patterns File Type: pdf
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Altered Arpeggio Patterns File Type: pdf
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Targeting Chord Alterations File Type: pdf
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Chromatic Lines & Phrases File Type: pdf
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Blues Scale Licks & Improv File Type: pdf
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B Section Improv Notation File Type: pdf
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1436251 Progressions Worksheet File Type: pdf
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Jazz Chord Progression Formulas File Type: pdf
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F Major – Diatonic Workout File Type: pdf
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Spread Voicings Notation File Type: pdf
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Stride Voicings & Drills File Type: pdf
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Licks & Riffs Notation File Type: pdf
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B Section Voicings File Type: pdf
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Georgia Harmonic Visualisation File Type: pdf
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Turnarounds Full Demonstration File Type: pdf
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Bluesy Turnaround Variations File Type: pdf
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Soulful Turnaround Variations File Type: pdf
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Passing Chords Notation File Type: pdf
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Reharm Performance File Type: pdf
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A Section Reharm Examples File Type: pdf
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Left Hand 10th Intervals File Type: pdf
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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 NowForum Threads
Ask questions to get prompt replies from our team of teachers, participate in improvisation exercises and studies, and join in the discussion with students and teachers from around the globe:
- Beginner Jazz Courses: Roadmap & Syllabus
- Jazz Piano Foundations Practice Planner
- Weekly Transcription / Improvisation Exercises - Beginner
- Brand New & Looking For Advice
- How Long Does It Take To Master Jazz Theory?
- How & What To Practice
- From Lessons To Lead Sheet
- Practicing Minor Scales
- How To Memorize Harmony Of A Tune?
- "The Jazz Standards" Spotify Playlist
- "The History Of Jazz" Spotify Playlist
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