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
Jazz Piano School Ep 40 : The Altered Scale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
When you're first learning jazz it's hard to get that jazz sound that gives tensions and sounds like we're not playing like a baby. It might sound to you like you're playing is sooo beginnerish still. Well here's how to…
Jazz Piano School Ep 39 : The Tritone Substitution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:03
We as jazz musicians have a lot of freedom to change progressions and harmonies in a tune. How exactly do we do it though? In this podcast I'll teach you a foundational concept that will lead to many more reharm opportun…
Jazz Piano School Ep 38 : How To Develop Your Solos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:09
As I've said before jazz is like speaking a language. We know that person in our life that won't stop talking. They just talk and talk and talk. It's never fun to listen to them. The people who take their time and say so…
Jazz Piano School Ep 37 : LH Solo Piano Components [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:00
Solo piano can be very frustrating. You have 88 keys and ten fingers. What the heck do you play? It's easier than you might think. Your LH and RH have different roles that should work together to produce a great sounding…
Jazz Piano School Ep 36 : What Are Extensions? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:40
Most people gravitate towards jazz because of the rich colors and sounds that come from the music. We all want to be able to play those amazing sounding chords on the piano. How do we do it though? I'll tell you right no…
Jazz Piano School Ep 35:  Walk Bass Lines Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:09
Learning how to walk bass lines is a skill all jazz pianists want to accomplish. And who wouldn't? We have a nice bass register on the piano but we never learn how to do anything with it. Anytime we see an bass player wa…
Jazz Piano School Ep 34 : Rootless Voicing Textures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
We recently learned our rootless voicings. In this episode I'm going to show you how to turn these rootless voicings into two hand comping textures to use with groups or while playing solo piano. These sounds are the hea…
Jazz Piano School Ep 33 : Beginning Ear Training [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Ear training is highly sought after in jazz because much of the music involves using our ear to hear progressions, licks, movements and much more. The better ear you have, the better player you will be. So how exactly do…
Jazz Piano School Ep 32 : Rootless Voicings Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:17
So structure 2 is simply an inversion of rootless voicings structure 1. We now start on the 7th degree of our minor chord instead of the 3rd. Once you studied structure 1, structure #2 should come just as easily.
Jazz Piano School Ep 31 : Rootless Voicings Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:05
Alright, you've waited long enough for some pro jazz voicings! Well here they are. Rootless voicings will be your key to advanced jazz voicings with both one and two hands in the future. These are your transport system t…