From Classical to Jazz Piano
— Let's Play —
Master improvisation, play by ear, and jam with others—whether you’re a beginner or classically trained.
Join NowStruggling with Jazz?
Let's Fix That.
Imagine Yourself:
- Mastering jazz standards by ear.
- Improvising with confidence.
- Sitting in on jam sessions like a pro.
Jazz Is Hard
Transitioning from classical piano to jazz can feel overwhelming.
You might:
- Struggle to play by ear.
- Get stuck trying to improvise.
- Not know where to start with jazz standards.
I’ve been there, too.
As a classically trained pianist, I spent countless hours trying to figure it out on my own.
Through the process of teaching myself jazz, I created a step-by-step approach to make learning jazz accessible — and fun.
Hi, I'm Ryan. 👋
I’m a classically trained pianist who learned jazz later, so I know how intimidating it can feel—it’s almost like starting over.
I remember feeling like a total beginner again.
But music has always been my life. Before diving into jazz, I was:
- A professional accompanist for Summer String Camps
- A house accompanist for a Summer Opera Company and Musical Theatre company
- An Adjunct Faculty member at my university, teaching music theory, aural skills, and private piano lessons
Then I discovered jazz, and everything changed.
I found a whole new way to express myself, and now I’m here to help you discover that same freedom in your own playing.
Musical Fitness
I studied piano for years but couldn’t just sit down at a party and play.
Everything changed when I learned to improvise and play by ear—it improved all my piano skills. I created a step-by-step path to get there, and now I can help you do the same.
Musical Fitness means being ready for any situation—whether it’s performing with an orchestra, jamming in a jazz band, or rocking out with friends.
Explore My Courses
I’ve created over 15 courses—each with 3 to 10 video lessons plus accompanying PDFs—that mirror the real-life curriculum I use with my private students.
You’ll find:
- Foundations: Scales, chord patterns, circle of 5ths exercises, and other essential tools.
- Playing by Ear: Start with simple children’s songs and progress to more complex pieces, learning new harmonic devices at each step.
- Specific Tunes: Dive into Georgia on My Mind, Autumn Leaves, Satin Doll, and more—developing melody, chords, and improvisation skills along the way.
Everything is designed to help you go from basics to full-on jam sessions, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your repertoire.
Recently Added
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New
Charlie Brown Christmas
Learn how to play Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas tunes.
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New
Autumn Leaves
What you learn with this standard will build skills for a lot of other jazz tunes.
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New
Georgia On My Mind
Great American Songbook tune made famous by Ray Charles.
Jazz
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Blues Fundamentals I
Start here to learn jazz. Blues is the gateway to all other jazz styles.
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My Funny Valentine
Learn this classic tune. Learn Bill Evans voicings, block chords, and how to transpose it.
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Satin Doll
If you are starting jazz piano, this is one of the best jazz standards to start with.
Fundamentals
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Roadmap
Core skills for any musician. Tracking charts and lessons for scales, arpeggios, chord patterns, and tunes by ear.
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Cadence Patterns
These patterns are found everywhere in music. Learn these fundamental patterns along with their inversions in all 12 keys.
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Playing By Ear
A fundamental skill to any musician is to play a melody and harmonize it. I go through that process starting with easy familiar songs.
Don’t Take My Word for It 📚🌈
Here’s what fellow musicians on YouTube have to say…
Ready to Join?
Transform your playing skills—learn to improvise, play by ear, and tackle new challenges every month.
Subscribing gets you the following:
- Access to all courses
Explore 15+ courses with videos, PDFs, and tracking charts - New Content Every Month
Fresh tutorials, new songs, and bonus workshops to keep you inspired. - Quarterly challenges
Push yourself, level up your skills
Ready to change your playing? Click below to get started!
F.A.Q.
Anyone looking to improve their piano playing will benefit. You’ll get the most out of it if you’re beyond the absolute beginner stage—able to play comfortably around the keyboard, perhaps at a Faber or Hal Leonard level 4 or equivalent.
- Full Access to All Courses – Explore 15+ courses with video lessons and PDFs.
- Email Access – Reach out to me directly with questions.
- New Course Added Monthly – Stay inspired with fresh material.
- PDF Resources – Download charts, exercises, and more.
Start with whatever you have. A full-sized digital keyboard can cost a few hundred dollars. If you’re on a budget, keep an eye on garage sales or Craigslist—I’ve found great upright pianos for $300–$400 in good condition.
- Practice Consistently – Steady effort is key to improving.
- Seek Feedback – Reach out to peers or a teacher for guidance.
- Don’t Skip Steps – Each skill builds on the previous one. Moving too fast can slow your progress in the long run.
My focus leans toward jazz, but I also cover some classical repertoire in depth. Even classical pianists can benefit from learning jazz improvisation and harmony!
- Refunds – Not offered.
- Discounts – Occasional deals and promotions may appear.
- Cancel Anytime – If you cancel on a monthly plan, you retain access through the end of your current billing cycle.
- How to Cancel – Set your plan to “Free” or email me, and I’ll cancel it for you.
- Detailed Walkthrough – Click here for step-by-step instructions.
I occasionally take on private students for one-on-one lessons. If you’re interested, just contact me and we can find a time that works.
From My Process to Learn A New Jazz Standard
From Day 6 Circle Challenge
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From Best Way To Start Jazz Piano
From Best Way To Start Jazz Piano
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