Why Practicing More Isn’t Making You Better (And What Actually Does)

Why Practicing More Isn’t Making You Better (And What Actually Does)

Author: Brenden Lowe : Professional Jazz Pianist and Jazz Piano Educator February 19, 2026 Duration: 28:43
Most jazz pianists don’t struggle because they aren’t practicing — they struggle because their why, what, and how are misaligned. Most jazz pianists aren’t stuck because they’re lazy. They’re stuck because they’re working hard on the wrong things. In this episode, I break down the three hidden reasons practicing more often can actually make you feel worse instead of better: • Why you practice • What you practice • How you practice When those three aren’t aligned, effort turns into frustration instead of confidence. We’ll talk about: • Why practicing for relief leads to burnout • Why switching topics kills momentum • Why more information doesn’t equal progress • Why attention matters more than time If you’ve ever practiced consistently but still felt unclear or behind, this episode will help you recalibrate. Want a Clear Path? If you’re not sure what to focus on next, download the free Jazz Piano Roadmap: https://jazzpianoschool.com/roadmap If you’re ready for structured progression through comping, solo piano, and improvisation, check out Proficient Jazz Pianist: https://jazzpianoschool.com/pjp

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: en-us Episodes: 100

Jazz Piano School
Podcast Episodes
Cocktail Piano Endings (9 Ways) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:54
Finding good ways to end cocktail jazz piano tunes can be tricky. But have no fear. With these 9 endings you're about to learn, you'll always have the perfect ending up your sleeve to use in any situation. Let's check em…
How To Captivate Audiences With Your Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Why is it that you're clinging to every note some jazz artists play, and others, you're kind of bored? I've heard monster players that technically sounded great! And played no "wrong" notes, but didn't inspire me or move…
Modern Jazz Basics in 7 Steps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:06
As with everything in life, a couple small changes can produce big results. The same holds true for creating a modern jazz piano sound. With a couple of small but mighty elements, you can begin to easily produce a modern…
The ONLY Modern Jazz Chord You'll Ever Need - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
There is a chord that has become ubiquitous in the modern jazz idiom. This harmony can be used in a variety of settings, and has many implications for composition and improvisation in a modern jazz style. In this podcast…
The ONLY Modern Jazz Chord You'll Ever Need - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:21
There is a chord that has become ubiquitous in the modern jazz idiom. This harmony can be used in a variety of settings, and has many implications for composition and improvisation in a modern jazz style. Sterling Cozza…
Jazz Piano School Reflections for 2023 and 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Once a year, usually in January, I sit down and record an audio only podcast. It's theraputic for me to reflect back on the year and think about what's coming up. If you're just into learning jazz piano and don't care ab…
What to Practice For Jazz Piano: 2024 Goal Planning Part 2 & 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:08
I gave out the planning aspect in my last podcast episode. How to organize your goals. How to rank them and prioritize them. How to make a plan, and how to revise your plan. If you haven't listened to that episode, you'l…
2024 Planning for Success: How To Organize Your Goals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:09
The information is out there. There is no doubt about that. You can find anything you want on the internet. But how do we make a plan for our goals. How do we know what information we need to sprint towards our goal? Wel…
Slow Motion Bebop Solo: The 3 Things You Need [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:29
It's hard to understand what makes improvisation sounds good. But wait...is it actually hard? Not really. In this lesson I'll demonstrate in super slow motion how to construct bebop lines using just 3 things. When you us…