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6

Improvisation Syllabus

Intermediate
Courses 7
Syllabus Menu
Syllabus Overview Learning Path Courses Your Teachers Downloads Forum Threads Student Reviews
Syllabus Overview Learning Path Courses Your Teachers Downloads Forum Threads Student Reviews

Syllabus Overview

PianoGroove's 'Learn To Improvise' syllabus contains 6 courses which de-mystify the art of jazz improvisation.

The syllabus contains video lessons, downloads, and weekly transcription exercises posted in the PianoGroove Community Area.

Who Is This Syllabus For?

  • Students who are completely new to jazz piano improvisation
  • Students who want to learn how to transcribe licks, lines, and solos
  • Students who want to learn the key principles of jazz improvisation

Learning Path

Our 'Improvisation For Beginners' Syllabus will help you become a competent improviser. Fast.

Whist some improvisation concepts can be taught and explained, it's vitally important that we are regularly listening and transcribing from our favourite records. The theory lessons in this course will teach you the basic principles of jazz improvisation and the transcription lessons and exercises will equip you to learn directly from your favourite recordings.

1.

Chord Tone Soloing

Using the jazz blues form, we create improvised melodies using the primary chord tones which are 1, 3, 5, & 7. These tones play an important role in the construction of an improvised melody and connect our improvisations to the underlying harmony.

2.

Approach Patterns, Enclosures, & Chromaticism

This is when our improvisations start to sound really jazzy. After our study of chord tones we introduce the principles of approach patterns, enclosures, and chromaticism which are used to smoothly connect our improvised melodies.

3.

Transcription: The Key To Improvising

Regular listening & transcription is the most time-effective way to improve at improvisation. We cover the basics of transcription and how to analyse the melodies and solos of your favourite players. Also check out our weekly transcription exercises in the forum area.

4.

Triads & Non-Linear Improvisation

By focussing solely only on scales, we restrict our melodic and harmonic imagination to linear runs. By using triads we can open our ears to strong melodic possibilities that are not obvious when we improvise using scales.

5.

Modal Scales & Chord Scale Theory

Chords and scales share an intimate relationship. This relationship is known as Chord Scale Theory. Once we understand the importance of chord tones and triad shapes, we can then begin to experience the sophistication and allure of chord scales.

6.

Advanced Improvisation Concepts

Improvised music can be thought of as either resting; or heading towards something that is resting. Using this philosophy, we can simplify a number of harmonic concepts to free up our mind and imagination for improvised melodic creativity.

Courses

The Improvisation Syllabus contains 7 courses which should be studied in the following order:

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1. 12 Bar Blues Improvisation

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11 Lessons
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Course Synopsis

We explore the core elements of improvisation such as: chord tone soloing, approach patterns, target tones and chromatic passing tones.

Course Lessons

  • 1. Theory Lessons

  • 1. 1Basic 12 Bar Blues Tutorial08:54
  • 1. 2The Jazz Blues Progression11:19
  • 2. Improvisation Concepts

  • 2. 1Chord Tone Soloing Tutorial10:57
  • 2. 2Swing 8th Notes Tutorial05:48
  • 2. 3Approach Pattern Enclosures10:29
  • 2. 4Passing Tones Tutorial10:02
  • 2. 5Blues Scale Improv Tutorial10:15
  • 2. 6Blues Licks Tutorial10:24
  • 3. Jazz Standard Studies

  • 3. 1Straight No Chaser Tutorial
  • 3. 2Wynton Kelly “Sassy” Transcription14:17
  • 3. 316th Note Improvisation – “Sassy” Transcription15:05
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2. How To Transcribe By Ear

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6 Lessons
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Course Synopsis

Transcription is an essential step in learning to improvise. We cover the basics of transcription and transcribe a number of improvised lines and solos.

Course Lessons

  • 1.Bill Evans Major 251 Line06:40
  • 2.Chet Baker Minor 251 Line11:21
  • 3.Introduction to Transcription06:58
  • 4.Useful Transcribe Features04:40
  • 5.“There Will Never Be Another You” Transcription25:14
  • 6.“Days Of Wine & Roses” Transcription24:11
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3. Triads: Non-Linear Improvisation

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10 Lessons
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Course Synopsis

In this course we explore the use of triads for melodic creativity. This concept was taught to Jovino by his mentor Hermeto Pascoal.

Course Lessons

  • 1. Theory Lessons

  • 1. 1Brazilian Improv Course Intro08:26
  • 1. 2Triad Options15:27
  • 1. 3Triads & The Major 251 Progression07:15
  • 1. 4Triads & the Minor 251 Progression07:39
  • 2. Jazz Standard Studies

  • 2. 1A Rã Tutorial08:51
  • 2. 2Consolação Tutorial07:56
  • 2. 3Bananeira Tutorial11:05
  • 2. 4Você e Eu Tutorial08:33
  • 2. 5Lobo Bobo Tutorial08:05
  • 2. 6Brigas Nunca Mais Tutorial08:30
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4. Scales & Modes For Improv

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5 Lessons
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Course Synopsis

Chords and scales share an intimate relationship. All chords imply a scale, and these scales are used extensively for jazz piano improvisation.

Course Lessons

  • 1.Pentatonic Improvisation18:06
  • 2.Modes of Major Scale22:25
  • 3.The Melodic Minor Modes16:15
  • 4.Choosing Chord Scales09:38
  • 5.The Altered Jazz Scale25:48
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5. Improvisation & Soloing

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7 Lessons
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Course Synopsis

This course covers the foundations of jazz improvisation. We explore scales, arpeggios, chord tones, enclosures, approach patterns & swing rhythm.

Course Lessons

  • 1.Tenderly Improvisation28:13
  • 2.Blue in Green Improvisation23:37
  • 3.How To Play Swing Rhythm14:03
  • 4.This Masquerade Improv17:48
  • 5.Alone Together10:40
  • 6.Approach Patterns Jazz Piano
  • 7.Locked Hands Improv25:24
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6. Advanced Improvisation Course

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6 Lessons
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Course Synopsis

In this 6 lesson course, we’ll explore Tonal Harmony & Related Dominants with a unique approach to improvising over the Dominant – Tonic relationship.

Course Lessons

  • 1.Dominant / Tonic Relationship09:53
  • 2.Major 251 Improvisation09:13
  • 3.Minor 251 Improvisation08:08
  • 4.The Tritone Relationship10:28
  • 5.The Minor 3rd Relationship10:56
  • 6.The Chromatic 25 Progression11:43
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7. Intro To Hammond Organ

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10 Lessons
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Course Synopsis

Learn to play the F Jazz Blues using the Hammond Organ. We explore the B3’s anatomy & controls, walking bass lines, comping, turnarounds, & improvisation.

Course Lessons

  • 1. The Anatomy Of The Hammond B3

  • 1. 1Hammond B3: Drawbars, Presets, & Controls21:32
  • 2. Walking Bass Lines

  • 2. 1Walking Bass Lines For Jazz Organ10:44
  • 2. 2The Roles Of The Bass Pedals07:14
  • 2. 3Lower Manual Foldback04:14
  • 3. Comping

  • 3. 1Comping On The Hammond Organ18:49
  • 3. 2Comping Drills & Exercises05:14
  • 4. Improvisation

  • 4. 1Drawbar Registrations For Soloing04:47
  • 4. 2Soloing & Improvisation Concepts15:54
  • 5. Turnarounds & Performance

  • 5. 1Turnarounds For Jazz Organ18:59
  • 5. 2F Blues Performance & Breakdown18:28

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.

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Beginner Theory

Jazz Harmony

Voicings

Solo Jazz Piano

Bossa Nova

Blues Piano

Classical

Improvisation

Jovino Santos Neto

Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is among the top Brazilian musicians working today.

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Brazilian Piano Styles

Samba

Bossa Nova

Solo Jazz Piano

Composition

Choro

Baião

Tuomo Uusitalo

Tuomo is an award-winning pianist, composer, arranger and educator. Having released two albums as a leader, he has established himself in the New York jazz scene and continues touring internationally both as a leader as well as sideman.

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Improvisation

Jazz Harmony

Stride Piano

Jazz Piano

Free Jazz

Ragtime

Jazz Trio

Big Band

Robert Kennedy

Robert Kennedy is a Hammond organist, pianist, and accordionist born and raised in the American South who moved to the San Francisco bay area in 1988. He has released two jazz organ albums and plays jazz, blues, and rock regularly around San Francisco.

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Hammond Organ

Hard Bop

Jazz Piano

Ear Training

Accordion

Gypsy Jazz

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    12 Bar Blues Lesson Supplement File Type: pdf

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    “Straight No Chaser” – Jazz Blues Form File Type: pdf
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    Jazz Blues Voicings File Type: pdf

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    The Major Blues Scale File Type: pdf

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    Bill Evans Major 251 Line Notation File Type: pdf
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    Chet Baker Minor 251 Notation File Type: pdf
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    “Blue in Green” Modal Scale Choices File Type: pdf

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    Arturo Sandoval Transcription File Type: pdf

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    Course Intro Lesson Notation File Type: pdf
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    Triad Options Lesson Notation File Type: pdf
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    Major 251s Improv Lesson Notation File Type: pdf

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    Minor 251s Lesson Notation File Type: pdf

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    A Rã lead sheet File Type: pdf

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    A Rã transcription File Type: pdf

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    Consolação lead sheet File Type: pdf

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    Consolação transcription File Type: pdf

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    Bananeira lead sheet File Type: pdf

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    Bananeira Transcription File Type: pdf

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    Você e Eu lead sheet File Type: pdf

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    Você e Eu Transcription File Type: pdf

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    Lobo Bobo lead sheet File Type: pdf

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    Lobo Bobo Transcription File Type: pdf

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    Brigas Nunca Mais Transcription File Type: pdf

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    Brigas Nunca Mais lead sheet File Type: pdf

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    12 Minor Pentatonic Scales File Type: pdf
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    Pentatonic Scale Choices Cheat Sheet File Type: pdf
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    Major Modes Cheat Sheet File Type: pdf

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    Major Modes In All 12 Keys File Type: pdf

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    Melodic Minor Modes – All 12 Keys File Type: pdf

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    Melodic Minor Modes Cheat Sheet File Type: pdf

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    “Blue in Green” Modal Scale Choices File Type: pdf

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    Major Mode Cheat Sheet File Type: pdf

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    “Blue in Green” Modal Scale Choices File Type: pdf

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    Melodic Minor Modes Cheat Sheet File Type: pdf

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    Major Modes Cheat Sheet File Type: pdf

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    Swing Feel Lesson Supplement File Type: pdf

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    “Alone Together” Improvisation File Type: pdf

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    Common Drawbar Registrations File Type: pdf

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    Walking Bass Line Examples File Type: pdf

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    Lower Manual Bass & Pedals Notation & Examples File Type: pdf

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    Comping Lesson Notation File Type: pdf

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    Comping Drills & Practice Guidance File Type: pdf

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    Tremolos Notation File Type: pdf

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    Contrasting Time Riffs Notation File Type: pdf

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    Improvised Solo Transcription File Type: pdf

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    Licks & Riffs Lesson Notation File Type: pdf

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    Turnarounds & Reharmonisations File Type: pdf

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    Performance Notation: Licks & Riffs File Type: pdf

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Forum 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:

  1. The Importance Of Listening & Transcribing

    Records, Albums, & Musicians

  2. Weekly Transcription Exercises - Beginner

    Improvisation & Transcription Exercises

  3. Weekly Transcription Exercises - Intermediate

    Improvisation & Transcription Exercises

  4. Weekly Transcription Exercises - Advanced

    Improvisation & Transcription Exercises

  5. How Modes Relate To Chord Progressions

    Jazz Theory Discussion

  6. How To Think About Modes

    Jazz Theory Discussion

  7. Aiming For Target Notes To End Improvised Lines

    Jazz Theory Discussion

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