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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
1. 12 Bar Blues Improvisation
2. How To Transcribe By Ear
3. Triads: Non-Linear Improvisation
4. Scales & Modes For Improv
5. Improvisation & Soloing
6. Advanced Improvisation Course
7. Intro To Hammond Organ
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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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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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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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.
View Full BioDownloads
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12 Bar Blues Lesson Supplement File Type: pdf -
“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” Transcription 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” Transcription 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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