Why Working Harder Isn't Fixing Your Jazz Piano Playing

Why Working Harder Isn't Fixing Your Jazz Piano Playing

Author: Brenden Lowe : Professional Jazz Pianist and Jazz Piano Educator February 12, 2026 Duration: 16:54
Most jazz pianists aren’t stuck because they’re lazy. They’re stuck because they’re working very hard on the wrong things. In this episode, I talk about why putting in more hours doesn’t always lead to better results — and why that gap between effort and progress can feel absolutely crushing. I share personal experiences from my own journey (both in jazz piano and beyond) and explain what’s really happening when you’re practicing consistently but still feel stuck. Proficient Jazz Pianist (PJP), is the complete step-by-step system for building real jazz piano skills — comping, solo piano, and improvisation — without jumping between random lessons or getting lost in information overload. If you want a clear, structured path for what to practice and how to turn what you already know into something playable, you can learn more here: http://jazzpianoschool.com/pjp More ways to stay connected: Website: #JazzPiano #MusicPractice #FocusedPractice #CreativeGrowth #JazzPianoSchool #ProficientJazzPianist

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
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…
How to Sidestep Like Herbie Hancock! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:24
When Herbie Hancock joined Miles Davis 2nd Quintet, he revolutionized chromatic improvising with Tony Williams and Ron Carter. Even before this period, Herbie used a technique he invented known as "sidestepping." This se…