IMPROVISATION

JAZZ

The Pathway

THE PATHWAY TO CONFIDENCE

Logo for the jazz improv institute with the words jazz improv institute and a trombone

From your first lesson to performing with confidence, there is a clear pathway at the Jazz Improv Institute. You are not walking it alone.

Improvisation isn’t just one skill. It’s a matrix of skills, built in stages. We separate content from skills and create the pathway into four levels so that you know exactly what you’ve mastered and where you need to go next.

Four Levels

  • Level 1

    The Blues and ii-V-I Foundations

    Build the ear and vocabulary to navigate the blues and the ii-V-I chord progression.

  • Level 2

    Bebop Language

    Incorporate the bebop scale and vocabulary to lengthen lines and demonstrate proficiency over multiple chord changes. Learn tunes by heart.

  • Level 3

    Incorporate post-bop language, such as Wayne Shorter tunes. Learn advanced extensions and reharmonizations.

  • Level 4

    Demonstrate mastery improvising over the American Songbook using bebop language and advanced substitutions.

WHAT SETS US APART

decorative image of a woman playing saxophone

We thought you’d never ask!

Most teachers will emphasize memorizing tunes and learning lots of songs. This is especially helpful for chordal players, but the skill of improvisation is different from the number of tunes you know.

At the Jazz Improv Institute, we support all learners by separating skills from content. We start with low level skills, apply them to easier tunes, then level these two strands up in complexity while incorporating the fundamentals of bebop. Think of the curriculum as skills intertwined with content in an upside down tornado. Each level builds on the previous level.

  • “Thank you for this effective and valuable 7-day workshop. It has provided me with not only concrete and practical exercices for my daily routine, but also specific insights to jazz playing that cannot be found in dedicated methods or on-line materials. I have also learned to play two great jazz standards and have started improvising over them. Last but not least, your workshop has boosted my motivation in practicing jazz improvisation: it has given me a clear path to follow and above all the confidence for the future. Yes, I know now I can do it! ”

    —Vincent

  • "Wow, I really like how that sounds!"

    —Improv student, after checking out the 10 Licks eBook

  • "These exercises look terrific. I can never get any pros to tell me how they build range, so I really appreciate this."

    —Student after using the Jazz Trombone Warmups eBook

LET’S GET STARTED

What’s next?

Start with Level 1 → 7 Days: Classical to Jazz eBook

Get notified about certification → Join the Waitlist

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