Recently, I learned about chord-scale theory, and I’ve started wondering if a basic approach to improvisation is to use notes from the chord scale, with an emphasis on chord tones. Is that a reasonable way to think about it?
I’ve also been trying to make my solos sound more melodic. Sometimes I play chord tones in an arpeggio-like pattern, but I’m not really sure what makes a solo sound melodic or how to develop my ideas beyond that.
I’ve tried transcribing solos by ear, too, but I haven’t been able to apply what I’ve learned to my own improvisation very well. Right now, I feel like I’m playing notes that fit the harmony, but my solos still don’t sound the way I want them to. I’m not sure if I’m approaching improvisation the right way.
How do you think about improvisation, and what specific practice methods would you recommend for someone at my stage? I’d really appreciate any advice!

Hi all! I am looking for a private instructor in the LA area. I have classical training and am looking to expand to jazz. Thanks in advance!

How do you practice your chord extensions? I know my chords frontwards and back, but I can’t remember in the moment my 9, 11, 13s

Hey everyone! I’m primarily a bass player but I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me tips or anything to help with my piano skills? I’ve been playing on the side for a few years but still I’d like to take a jump with my playing. I know how to play a good amount of tunes and know seventh chords with inversions but I’d like to take another step and learn some advanced voicings or other things too.

Hey guys and gals, here’s a little solo piano of mine :
Please leave some critique and don’t hesitate to be honest(:
It’s one take and I just took a look at it for 10min roundabout before recording.
THX!!

how do i cope with my comparison of my skills to other jazz pianists in my scene?

most of the time i am able to look past this and accept it as something i cannot change over night, but some days like today i feel myself very weighed down with wishing i was as good as the other pianists around me sooner. if i could ever get to that.

i did not attend music school as my parents did not support it so i got a STEM degree at a top university but to me it means little. it’s a bit shameful for me to admit but i ended up just tutoring, gigging, and teaching music rather than working at a “real” job.

the other pianists around me are very accomplished classically and in jazz and while i’m grateful to have the skills i do currently have i feel very sheepish playing in front of other jazz musicians, those that have gone to music school, been gigging since very young, have gone touring, won competitions, etc.

how do you guys cope with these feelings if you ever get them? i feel like the best i know how to do right now is just shut up and practice.

thanks

I’m working on my jazz lines in all 12 keys, but having to apply them on a lot of tunes is kind of daunting. Is there like a go to jazz standard that you practice new ideas over?

Improvisation on Pure Imagination

Tips/advice appreciated!!

Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Garrett, Terence Blanchard & Vinnie Colaiuta perform "Eighty-One" live at the Hollywood Bowl, from the Miles Davis Centennial celebration "Herbie Hancock Celebrates Miles Davis" (August 19, 2026).

Ron Carter – upright bass
Herbie Hancock – piano
Kenny Garrett – alto sax
Terence Blanchard – trumpet
Vinnie Colaiuta – drums

"Eighty-One" was co-written by Ron Carter and Miles Davis and recorded on Miles's 1965 album E.S.P. Carter and Hancock were both in that Miles Davis Quintet, so having the composer on bass with Herbie on this tune is a direct link back to the original music.

#Jazz #Bebop #RonCarter #HerbieHancock #MilesDavis #EightyOne #HollywoodBowl

My current fave is Hottentot by John Scofield...

Interested to hear yours (as long as it's not Chameleon - bit overdone, that one!)

I'm kinda done with bebop and standards... I want to get funky!

Salut à tous ! Je joue du piano jazz depuis un an (et du piano classique depuis cinq). J'ai un problème assez récurrent en jazz : j'ai tendance à sauter des temps. Mon professeur de piano jazz dit que j'ai un bon sens du rythme, mais que ma perception interne du rythme à quatre temps n'est pas très développée. Je peux jouer les accords parfaitement seuls, mais il m'arrive de sauter des temps quand j'ajoute la mélodie ou que j'improvise. Mon professeur m'a conseillé de taper du pied gauche sur le premier temps et du pied droit sur le troisième ; ça fonctionne sur le moment, mais j'aimerais pouvoir me passer de cette astuce. C'est très frustrant, car on me dit que j'ai une bonne oreille et un bon sens du rythme, mais la notion de cycle n'est pas vraiment ancrée en moi – et cela ne facilite pas les choses quand je joue dans un groupe. Je me demandais si d'autres personnes avaient rencontré des difficultés similaires ? Existe-t-il des exercices que je pourrais faire pour améliorer cela ?

Hello guys, I'm a self-taught pianist who started playing almost 3 years ago.

I started my jazz journey right from the beginning because I always wanted to be able to improvise. So I learned about scales, modes, chords progression, etc. I also did some transcription. However, it seems that I reached a limit in my playing ability and I've the feeling of not progression anymore. I mainly play in C major and C minor and it's pretty limiting (I learned like 2 standards : So What and Autumn Leaves)

My ultime goal is to be able to play jazz songs by hear, but I think that I need guidance now, because I don't really know where I'm going.

Here's is a video of me playing. I don't find it particularly good (like the harmony is quite unclear, same for the rythm) but I want to show what I'm able to do and have advice to continue my journey on a good foot.

I'm really shy about sharing videos of myself playing, but I want to know what is good and what isn't. I'm taking all advices.

Thank you in advance (and sorry for this English)

https://reddit.com/link/1x3tdvy/video/gz3ifjq60zuh1/player

Improv on Stella by Starlight

Kind of chopped but I wanna expand my sound
Tips appreciated!!!

Transcribing Trane is not for the week, im trying to get the whole solo transcribed ans be able to improvise. Anyone have tips to improvising over fast trane changes? I understand the concept of thinking 5-1 but creating melodys etc.. Is hard to do

It's a rough time here, my spouse is sick and we have been through the wringer. Been out of town for weeks and away from my instruments. Usually I eat my feelings, but this time I used a much more healthy coping skill. Got a few rare minutes at the keys today and worked out the head to this tune. Didn't record a solo but I sure do think this tune as written...the melody captures how I'm feeling. Sad, but sweet and hopeful.

https://youtube.com/shorts/QSZ8knIdVKQ?si=HuCpFqmDwI0VrsnJ

Happy to publish this little piece on one of my favorite pianists of all time, complete with a few personal stories. Please check it out!

Im looking for some advice on my left hand to make my music sound not so stale.

For example, I play a 2-5-1 in C.

D-F shell voicing, drop my pinkie down to G for F-G and and then to C-E. Its helped me improve my right hand and improv but it all sounds a little dead after a while.

Is there any passing chords or voicings i can use between chords?

Normally i would play 1 bar of Dm and G and 2 bars of C.

It is a subject im moving on to with my teacher but we are currently working on block chords

Hi all, I'm a hobby player, I get an hour or so practice in each night while the kids are in bed. I've been working on learning jazz after years of playing classically (rote learning a sheet piece, not really noticing progressions).

I've now been working on a chord progression approach for some blues pieces previously and for a year or so I've been enjoying working on lead sheets with a focus on chords and theory, all good so far. I'm taking online lessons.

Last night I had a good practice session and to wind down I played I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free. Thing is I'd learned it by rote from sheet and have no idea what the chords were (I memorised it years ago and only recently realised I was playing it in G).

Anyway in my tired state my RH started comping a bit and finding other chords in addition to the progression, it went a bit flow state and it was a wonderful surprise but of course it fell apart after a few seconds when I realised.

My question is: Should I expect this sort of thing to happen naturally and more often as I improve, so I should work towards that, and so was that normal? I'll ask my teacher as well but I'd appreciate some opinions.

Apologies for the wall of text!