Improvisation Paths: Blues, Bebop, Modern

Improvisation Paths: Blues, Bebop, Modern

Author: Brenden Lowe : Professional Jazz Pianist and Jazz Piano Educator November 28, 2025 Duration: 26:54
What kind of improviser do you want to become? In this episode, I break down the three primary stylistic paths.

Finding your way into the rich world of jazz piano can feel overwhelming, like you're missing the map everyone else seems to have. That's where Jazz Piano School comes in, hosted by professional jazz pianist and educator Brenden Lowe. This isn't about quick tricks; it's about building a real foundation. Brenden structures each episode around a clear, practical system, breaking down the journey into core pillars: developing your Technique, understanding the underlying Theory, building a solid Repertoire of tunes, and finding your own voice through Improvisation. You'll get focused lessons that translate complex ideas into actionable steps, all from a teacher who understands the common sticking points. To add depth and inspiration, the podcast regularly features conversations with well-known jazz pianists, offering a rare glimpse into their personal approaches and experiences. Tune in for a guided path that replaces frustration with clarity, turning the intricate language of jazz into something you can not only play, but truly feel and make your own. This podcast is designed to be the consistent, reliable resource you need at the bench, whether you're just starting out or looking to break through to the next level in your playing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 391

Jazz Piano School
Podcast Episodes
JPS Ep:149 - Rhythm Changes Bridge Improvisation: Use This Today! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:49
We continue our rhythm changes series and approach these refreshing new ways to improvise over the 4 dominant chords in the bridge of rhythm changes. If you thought the bridge didn't provide much harmonic content to impr…
JPS Ep:148 - 4 Secrets To Improvising Over Rhythm Changes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:33
Rhythm changes can seriously screw you up. Once you attempted and failed, you probably don't want to try again. BUT...with these 4 secrets that will allow you to easily improvise over rhythm changes, you'll be loving thi…
JPS Ep:147 - How to Play "Block Chords" (pt. 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:19
In this lesson we'll continue learning how to play "block chord" voicings in the style of George Shearing. We will be working on minor voicings in the key of F, specifically with the tune "Lullaby of Birdland." George Sh…
How to Play "Block Chords" Like George Shearing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:49
In this lesson we'll learn how to play "block chord" voicings in a jazz style. This technique was made famous by George Shearing, and used by other pianists such as Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans. You can use it to harmon…
9 Ways To Storytell With Your Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
I've heard extremely technically proficient and knowledable improvisers completely fail at telling a story with their solo. When this happens it stinks! None of us want to be in that position. Here's 9 ways for you to be…
JPS Ep:143 - Piano Warmup: "The Rachmaninoff Exercise" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:55
Sometimes people ask me, 'what do you put in your warmup routine?' Here is a quick exercise you can do every time you sit down to play the piano that will get your hands warm, and work to build facility and ease into you…
JPS Ep:142 - 12 Ingredients For Jazz Piano Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
It's hard to be honest with ourselves. What do we know, and what do we NEED to know? What do we NOT know...we don't know! Confusing...I know...but hopefully these 12 CRUCIAL ingredients to jazz piano success will allow y…
JPS Ep:141 - How To Integrate Jazz Extensions Into Your Voicings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:59
I get this question a lot, and that is... "Brenden, how do I integrate extensions into my voicings?" Well most of the time you'll here upper structure triads brought up immediately. In this episode I would like to go a s…