10 Levels of Jazz Improvisation - How to Develop Your Improvisation

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In this Jazz Piano Tutorial we will be exploring how to build up and develop your improvisation from scratch. We’re going to start really simple, as a complete beginner might start improvising, and slowly build up to something much more complex and interesting. Our goal is create an improvisation that sounds complex but that is conceptually quite simple. So it’s easy to think about and implement but nevertheless sounds intriguing. So we’ll start with a very simple base and gradually add more and more layers of complexity until we have something that can pass for a Jazz improvisation.
If you enjoyed this lesson on developing your Jazz improvisation skills, please subscribe.

[@ebhd33]

Hands down the most structured and single best video about improvisation I have seen so far after getting lost in youtube for more than a year... Thank you very much. Thank you.

[@saadalhumaid3959]

Q: what theory books you get all these information from? Your videos are always comprehensive and organized

[@obisraelngawani1373]

😅😅

[@tianxing7795]

BEST JAZZ CHANEL in youtube.

[@LadyLoiseau]

Thank you for this explanation - I was really missing this bigger picture of how jazz improvisation is actually played. This really puts all the excersizes I’ve been practicing into a more concrete context.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Some very good advice. I started on various stringed instruments in 62. Uke was one..My dad taught me lead guitar..he called it "picking it out" not lead. I learned only on the high.string. Mom who played 🎹 and a little guitar, bought me a Chet Atkins book about 70. Learned with a little record player off an LP and the tab in the book. Did not know it at the time..I was learning a little jazz too. Chet started out as the fiddle player for the 👪 band. His dad taught music. He had to replace a sick brother as the guitar player one night. The rest is history. Vice president of RCA..and expert in audio recording. He learned to be be a fair 🎸 player LOL. I move back and forth on piano and guitar. I just was watching one of my.guitar videos reviewing a book from 96, where I reviewed a Wolf Marshall Bebop flavor 🎸 lick. I noticed how close this lick is to jazz 🎹 bebop. I think it was called 101 jazz licks. He does a video on some of his licks. Those would make some good video inspiration in some of your future videos. btw wish I could have had this info when I was 16 or so. The best.

[@subzero9724]

Best advice and demystification of jazz, thank you from France.

[@weihe993]

Great video as usual. Why not using Patreon to get some funding? I'm sure a lot of people would love to contribute to your wonderful work.

[@luca-vy3hm]

you could donate at his website

[@hrochan2396]

I have just watched all three Overview videos and can't find words to praise you enough. Made as easy as possible, but not easier. Carefully structured, no waffling about, systematic. It shows you put HUGE effort into this. Hitting those subscribe and donate buttons and starting the full course :)

[@jameswilson5115]

This guy sure knows some music theory! So much to learn. Thanks for the video!

[@jacobnibandhanrajbondalapa7868]

Who in the world even dislikes this video.. it's such a blessing and satisfying for anybody who's overwhelmed by jazz.

[@tianacameron9456]

And just like that, in 25 minutes - the daunting intimidation of jazz and improv has been lifted! i can now sit and practice with these levels in mind. thank you!!!!

[@FlytheBIGones]

Invaluable, and humbling. Thank You.

[@BBB-nz4hf]

I've learned more from you than any other teacher this is what I was missing improvisationally

[@btocakci]

That was the greatest cure to my months-long pain learning the improvisation techniques. Excellent.

[@Bonecrusher27WTF]

Excellent video! I haven't seen the process described by levels like this.... gives me something to work on and shoot for in a systematic way. Thanks!

[@Shuzies]

Very Helpful....just love your lessons,,,,,like a fresh shower.....thank you

[@WalkThatBass]

Thanks, mate :)

[@michaeluche8510]

This video compelled me to subscribe, as far as am concerned this is the best beginner/intermediate jazz tutorial on KZbin 💯

[@fallen0005]

that was awesome! so much information in such a short video!

[@the_hza]

You are a brilliant person. Thank you

[@jazzsaz]

A great teacher makes complex looking things sound simple. Thanks!

[@themask416]

This video was a new hope for my improvisation. Great video, thank you.

[@WalkThatBass]

Happy to help, Vini

[@AfiScruggsplaysbass]

This is a keeper. Really nice tutorial that breaks things down simply. Thanks for much.

[@samcoffeymusic]

Great great great! --Guidetones are key! Put this together with a comprehensive listening list and you can go far! The swing-feel can only be acquired through listening to the masters. And idiomatically convincing application of the theory requires a good bit of ear-training which again requires a thorough jazz listening diet.

[@alberto798]

Man this video is really helpful, im learning to improvise now with my teacher and im really struggling with what to do with my right hand, this is perfect!

[@bleachjazz1726]

God bless your soul for these videos,they make so much more sense than all the other videos on youtube

[@danharrow7458]

Excellent stuff as usual. Great way of explaining an approach to improvisation. Many thanks.

[@OtRatsaphong]

Great lesson!! You covered quite a lot of ground. Thank you.

[@TrungDuong1992]

I'm so blessed that I found this channel. I've learned a lot from you.

[@alratliff445]

I enjoy all of your videos. This one I really enjoyed because you explained and demonstrated explicitly the difficult concept of improvisation in an easy to understand manner. Thank you.

[@sloperdad4835]

Most excellent! Just what I wanted. You are a good teacher.

[@ModularLanding]

This is a super helpful video. Thank you so much! Super valuable lesson that could lead to hours and hours or practice. And even the chromatic improvisation sounded pretty good to me-nothing wrong with a Gm7b9 chord :-)

[@francisrichard5282]

Amazing lesson I was desperately looking for so far. Thank you! I really appreciate the stepwise approach and you provided me with a glimpse into the choice of a scale for a given chord. This topic is very scarcely or badly explained in other vids!

[@melissacoles4912]

Really helpful! Thanks!

[@TheChestnutBowl]

This is the best introduction to jazz improv I've come across. Thank you so much! Level 9 reminded me of Thelonious Monk.

[@pappysshorts3290]

This video is perfect. I will be watching it many times as I practice.

[@rolandmadjitey6978]

God bless you my brother so much for such secrets revealed . I wish I saw your channel earlier. Many thanks .

[@ignaciodelamaza5234]

Wow this video is what i have always been looking for! Thanks for your work!

[@ankitsagar8174]

You deserve a better piano man too good you are 👌

[@kingarthur605]

I have an exam in 4 days and sill needed one more piece so this is perfect thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@vash64z]

This is amazing! Just started to study jazz theory. I'm sure this video will be so useful. Thank you!

[@jonascederlof7450]

Most likely the best improv lesson I’ve seen!

[@BBB-nz4hf]

Excellent job very well done

[@LemricVillaflorOfficial]

very generous lessons! unlike other videos :) More videos please! I would like to ask if what’s an effective practice routine for jazz? :)

[@desmondbaptiste432]

Your video pictorial intro. is more aptly describable as walking the piano.Small joke there but more importantly I think your ability to explain makes you an excellent tutor and I find your lessons very helpful indeed.Great work.

[@mashewm]

Great video. Even though i play guitar these videos help a lot!

[@norbi8072]

I watched all of your lessons, thanks mate, your the best. I've got the HEUREKA feeling now for Jazz :-))

[@ericdiogenes6609]

you actually made 10 sound cool

[@babynature3]

Super helpful, thank you so much for the video!

[@hany-tawfik]

I first give you a thumb up and then watch the video.

[@heiah]

I love your dedication and all the knowledge you are providing to us for years now. Ok I am full- on working in mastering New Orleans and swing style progressions. I am aware of all those 251 and secondary/ tertiary dominant stuff, I even understand in what instances a diminished chord is just a substitution for a dominant chord a third below. Thanks to you What I still try to understand: There are those standard Blues schemes that are harmonically embellished in swing and New Orleans Jazz, but there is something about how European jazz (Django Reinhardt and Sidney Bechet in particular for me) that I feel there is somekind of cliche scheme in terms of chord progression that i feel I can anticipate but still surprises me. So my question and ask for help is: Can you derive like a roadmap for typical chord progressions of that era, with branching side- tracks on how the progressions differ but follow somewhat of the same scheme in terms of harmonic rhythm? Typical A and B parts, variations of those?

[@neilbryanclosa462]

This is so good man.

[@kukumuniu5658]

My psyche was treated again after a week of work that damaged my psyche as usual :) Definitely there should be continuation and the second part :D Level 7 b - How to expand our vocabulary (like Michael Brecker and Mike Mainieri in Steps Ahead - "Beirut" live in Tokyo with special quests Modal interchange & Modal Mixture). Interesting books and ideas from them: Nicolas Slonimsky - Thesaurus Of Scales And Melodic Patterns Stefan Kostka - Harmonia Tonal

[@bluefin1025]

Clear, thorough and helpful. Keep these coming!

[@benjamingroves1703]

Well, I know what I'm up to this weekend!

[@user-bl1xb1th1h]

Besttttt jazz lesson ever

[@LemricVillaflorOfficial]

very glad to discover this video! :D You’re such an effective music teacher.

[@lindareese4579]

Thank you so much!!!

[@jacktodd338]

Excellent

[@shiakij9806]

Thank you for this amazing vdo

[@MooNote_Music_Workshop]

Thank you so much for your teaching video!of the road of the jazz piano self-study,the video gives me the direction to go. i'm chinese and there are many people around me who want to learn jazz piano,but on china's video websiteso far there is no systematice teaching video,so i hope you can allow me to reprint your video to video wabsite in China. Thank you for your video,best wish to you!

[@simonepola6223]

My best compliments, I've never found someone explaining jazz and improvisation so clearly, your videos are really the best I have seen. Great.

[@chrisalba123]

Thanks!

[@peoriaos6627]

Fantastic lesson. Thank you!

[@bbossin]

Boooooooooooom.... .. .. .. ... . .. .. . .. The sound of my mind blown.

[@sebarrow663]

People, don't skip the advertising videos. Let this guy get some money for all the great work.

[@Salvatore-Celiento-Music]

magic tutorial thanks mate

[@liriosanz]

Impecable !

[@emmaporter6385]

You are amazing! Thank you so much

[@majidalizadeh9354]

Nice! May I ask why you used G Blues in this example? Is there any link between Bb Major as base scale here and G Blues you chose?

[@priyanthagamage4897]

Thank you for your explanation.🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Overcrow03]

Really good video dude! Instant sub

[@nora-fm7he]

always such a great help. thank you!

[@bbt28]

Thank you for sharing. Your lesson is awesome.

[@jcTorres813]

Wow! You are a genius! (bc your teaching method :) ). Thanks a lot!! It is A LOT useful!

[@WalkThatBass]

No worries, Juan. Thanks for the comment :)

[@don4476]

Gold.

[@Cesar.Lopez_Music]

Great! Friend...What school of Jazz or music did you attend?

[@NikolaiMusicChannel]

Great video, and a really structured method like in several of your other videoes :-) A couple of thoughts: - the blues scale should be level 2, as it's much easier for a beginner to make music sooner when applying the blues scale early on without having to think too much on chords, guide-tones, modes ect. - don't agree with the irregular rhythm-playing on level 9 and 10. I think it's extra important to be phrasing clear rythmical motifs in tempo when using harsh-sounding notes and scales to really pull it of and make it sound convincing, musical and cool, and don't see the point of doing these with an irregular rhythm as it makes the scales uglier and harder to use than they have to be Other than that, stellar work! :-)

[@storerestore]

I think levels 9 and 10 make sense as a demonstration of extremes. It's easier to pull off with clear and simple rhythms, but a lot of music occasionally does stretch it that far, convincingly.

[@starrybenchstudios]

Thank you

[@henrynoumado225]

Nice lesson. Please will oi get ebob scale

[@mr.fabian8471]

excellent!!!

[@jasneskis]

You keep saying this is all so simple. I may learn it. It us not simple for a learner.

[@lucaspiano]

Fantastic video! I have a question: Why did you use the G Blues Scale when picked a blues scale? I've noticed that the G blues scale has the majority of the notes of the Eb diatonic scale but I do need to calculate this always or is there any specific formula for that? Thanks

[@AlexanderNagel]

It's easier than you'd think :-) The G Blues Scale (G Bb C C# D F) is the 5th mode of the Bb pentatonic scale (Bb C D F G) with an added blue note (#4 = C#), so we could call the G Blues Scale a "G minor pentatonic". And "Autumn Leaves" is in G minor, so that's why we chose this scale.

[@mariannebahna6884]

how do you form those chords in your left hand? what’s the theory behind that?

[@isabinet134]

Thanks very much for this very interesting video.! Can I ask you something...why did you chose the G blue scale ( level 7) thank you !

[@coloaten6682]

I think the reason is because G minor is the relative minor to Bb Major.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

@@coloaten6682 You're probably right.

[@SamChaneyProductions]

Wonderful lesson, thank you! I would suggest you use slightly higher voicings in the left hand though, those are getting pretty murky towards the bottom. I'm guessing you chose these to make them clearer to follow visually for beginners, but it might teach people to use voicings that are too low. Try using rootless voicings higher up. For instance on the C-7 chord you could play Eb G Bb D, or you could use the same notes but inverted up like G Bb C Eb - if they get in the way of the melody, you can just play them in-between melody notes.

[@davidrinaldi77]

Somebody pls tell me. Why b flat major scale?? To use in basic improvisation?

[@TiKayStyle]

Where I know, if i should play the 7th note or the b7?

[@evertdude]

would you recommend this kawai keyboard for beginning pianist? saw him passing by while cheking for new keyboard. & THanks for the lesson i'm learning from it!

[@WalkThatBass]

Yeah, I quite like this one. The touch feels alright and it's got built-in drum loops which are always fun to use as a metronome. I think it would be suit you well.

[@JazzExtension]

Are there any passing tones that are inherently more jazz sounding than others?

[@WalkThatBass]

Not really. Because they are short they all work relatively well.

[@JazzExtension]

Walk That Bass Thank you! I guess in a nutshell the increased jazzy sound comes from extended chord (7ths, 9ths and 13ths, etc) alongside increased tension with passing tones that are resolved?

[@charlie-zk9fs]

👍👍👍

[@steamtrain1402]

Hey with the level 10 I would avoid really long chromatic runs. Id say more just enclosures and maybe a few notes at most. Also you could have mentioned altered scales and half whole scales because they are really good for a more sophisticated sound. Good video overall.

[@ribusgan]

Is the default meaning of 7th chord the diminished 7th - 1/3/5/7b?

[@WalkThatBass]

No, '7th chord' just means that we have added a 7th to a normal triad. It could be a b7 or the nat7.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

I see this was 3 years ago. If I'm thinking in C.. You probably know this by now. The easiest key C has the 7th chord B min7b5 . I start from the root B. B C# D# E F# G# A# B. Bmin7b5 is B D F A. or Root b3 b5 b7 in regards to the B major scale. I prefer to just call it a 1/2 dim.7 chord.

[@Berthold2012]

What does „NA“ mean?

[@guyug6940]

It means “Not Applicable”. It essentially means that there is nothing to put in its place. I always think of it as “Nothing needs to be here, but leaving it blank would look unprofessional”

[@erikbernardi7735]

if a combination of notes sounds horrible, that just means that your jazz level isnt high enough

[@ChannelMath]

ummm, if in level 1 you can use any notes in the fills, how come yours sound awesome while mine sounds like shite? I'm gonna start on level 2, that way I dont even have to learn the melody, hah!

[@tonybartonemusic]

The left had chords are to low

[@jeeersh]

Your voice sounds so familiar wtf

[@Nick-ui9dr]

Jazzy or not bt I just liked your level one thing the best. Rest are plain craps. 😜

[@stevenhughes9453]

I love your lessons - the price is right and the pace is non insulting. HOWEVER - I cannot stand to listen to your piano(!!!!!!!). PLEASE get it tuned. It is harsh, grating and totally unnecessary. Ouch. This is music - it should at least sound pleasant. But thanks for all the info. Excellent!

[@broncheemims8493]

No one know what the he'll you're talking about. You talk to fast and don't slow down so we can see your fingering technique.

[@AzTno11]

You're just slow

[@tuloca011]

I think the problem is that you dont know shit about music theory, so go back to the basics, pick a level 1 book that you like, and start by learning the c major scale. And after you learn all the necesary theory come back to this video, you fucking imbecile.

[@004asv]

sorry, but he´s perfectly clear and straight to the point

[@broncheemims8493]

Renato Barresi I a lot about music theory Sir So why don't you teach me Mister know it all.

[@broncheemims8493]

AzTno then speed me up then