This comprehensive course teaches students how to solo using block chords, a technique involving beautiful five-note chords that can harmonize any melody. The course is structured around the two-five-one chord progression, which appears frequently across jazz, blues, pop, rock, and other musical styles. You will learn to construct block chords in simple steps, understand chord movement between melody notes, and master techniques like roll-ups and fast melody harmonization. The course includes six detailed lessons covering chord progression fundamentals, block chord introduction, deep dives into each chord type, and practical application across different musical styles including jazz swing, bossa nova, and ballads. You’ll receive twelve downloadable backing tracks and sheet music to practice with, making this a complete learning experience for developing confident improvisation skills with block chords.
Course Type: Workshop
2-5-1 Soloing with Chord Blocks
This course introduces chord blocks, a technique using simple three-note chords for soloing instead of single notes. Jonny teaches how to apply chord blocks to the two-five-one progression, the most common chord progression across musical styles. The course covers six lessons, starting with the two-five-one progression basics and progressing through the three main chord types: minor seventh, dominant seventh, and major seventh chords. You’ll learn how to harmonize melody notes over these chords, practice with example lines, and apply the technique across different musical styles including jazz swing, Latin, ballads, and pop music. The course includes downloadable backing tracks in twelve different styles and tempos, plus sheet music for practice.
2-5-1 Soloing with the Mixo-Blues Scale
This workshop introduces a comprehensive course focused on the mixo blues scale, a versatile nine-note scale that works across jazz, blues, pop, rock, funk, and gospel styles. The course is structured in six progressive lessons covering the two-five-one chord progression, scale fundamentals and fingering, essential exercises, improvisation techniques including slides and turns, harmonized techniques, and complete solo construction. Students learn single-note improvisation, harmonized melody creation, and storytelling through solos, with practical application across swing, Latin, and jazz ballad styles.
2-5-1 Soloing with the Major Blues Scale
This workshop is structured in six lessons, starting with the fundamental two-five-one chord progression, then diving deep into the major blues scale itself with fingering techniques and exercises. We’ll learn essential improvisation techniques including slides, turns, and harmonized soloing methods. The course progresses from basic scale understanding to crafting complete, engaging solos that tell a musical story.
2-5-1 Soloing with Upper Structures
This course introduces the concept of soloing with upper structure triads, emphasizing their unique sound and importance in music. It begins with the 2-5-1 chord progression, teaching two voicings and four grooves essential for soloing. The course delves into the five primary upper structure triads and techniques used by professional musicians, including pairing upper structures and common improvisation patterns. Students will explore the chromatic connector technique and develop their own lines through essential exercises. By the end, participants will be equipped to create their own unique sound as soloists.
2-5-1 Soloing With Patterns
In this workshop, we are introduced to the art of soloing using musical patterns. The first lesson focuses on the two five one chord progression, offering various chord options and common grooves. You’ll explore how to apply patterns across different scales, including two, three, and four note patterns, while being encouraged to develop your own unique variations.
2-5-1 Soloing with the Dominant Diminished Scale
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to solo over the 2-5-1 chord progression with the Dominant Diminished Scale.
This course offers comprehensive lessons for mastering this versatile scale, applicable over nearly any dominant seventh chord. It begins with the 2-5-1 chord progression, teaching the scale’s notes and fingering, along with three memorization tricks. Subsequent lessons explore chords compatible with the scale and techniques for crafting impressive lines and solos. We’ll also learn 5 sample lines.
2-5-1 Soloing with Diatonic 7th Chords
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to solo over the 2-5-1 chord progression with diatonic 7th chords, which produce a cheerful sound ideal for jazz, funk, and gospel music.
The first lesson introduces a common chord progression that aids in improv, along with 3 chord options and 4 grooving methods. Subsequent lessons delve into the 2-5-1 chord progression, covering both primary and secondary pairs of diatonic seventh chords. The final lesson integrates all techniques for soloing, offering exercises and sample lines across various styles.
Jazz Ballad – Rhythm Exercises 1
If you’re a beginner pianist and would like to master ballad rhythms, this workshop is for you!
We’ll learn 8 left hand rhythms, 8 right hand rhythms, and several exercises that combine both hands.
Bossa Nova – Rhythm Exercises 2
If you’re an intermediate/advanced pianist and would like to master bossa rhythms, this workshop is for you!
We’ll learn 8 left hand rhythms, 8 right hand rhythms, and several exercises that combine both hands.
Bossa Nova – Rhythms Exercises 1
If you’re a beginner pianist and would like to master bossa rhythms, this workshop is for you!
We’ll learn 8 left hand rhythms, 8 right hand rhythms, and several exercises that combine both hands.
Jazz Swing – Rhythm Exercises 2
If you’re an intermediate/advanced pianist and would like to master jazz swing rhythms, this workshop is for you!
We’ll learn 8 left hand rhythms, 8 right hand rhythms, and several exercises that combine both hands.
Jazz Swing – Rhythm Exercises 1
If you’re a beginner pianist and would like to master jazz swing rhythms, this workshop is for you!
We’ll learn 8 left hand rhythms, 8 right hand rhythms, and several exercises that combine both hands.
Jazz Waltz Rhythm Essentials – 2
If you’re an intermediate/advanced pianist and would like to learn more about jazz waltz rhythms, this workshop is for you!
Each of the six lessons will comprise of a waltz comping rhythm, an exercise, and a song example. The final lesson will be a combination of rhythms used throughout the workshop over the jazz classic, “Waiting for my Prince”.
Jazz Waltz Rhythm Essentials – 1
If you’re a beginner pianist and would like to learn more about jazz waltz rhythms, this workshop is for you!
Each of the six lessons will comprise of a waltz comping rhythm, an exercise, and a song example. The final lesson will be a combination of rhythms used throughout the workshop over the jazz classic, “Waiting For My Prince”.
Jazz Ballad Rhythm Essentials – 2
If you’re an intermediate/advanced pianist and would like to learn more about jazz ballad rhythms, this workshop is for you!
Each of the six lessons will comprise of a ballad comping rhythm, an exercise, and a song example. The final lesson will be a combination of rhythms used throughout the workshop over the jazz classic, “Misty”.
Jazz Ballad Rhythm Essentials – 1
If you’re a beginner pianist and would like to learn more about jazz ballad rhythms, this workshop is for you!
Each of the six lessons will comprise of a ballad comping rhythm, an exercise, and a song example. The final lesson will be a combination of rhythms used throughout the workshop over the jazz classic, “Misty”.
Bossa Nova Rhythm Essentials – 2
If you’re an intermediate/advanced pianist and would like to strengthen your Bossa Nova rhythms, this workshop is for you!
Each of these lessons will comprise of a Bossa comping rhythm, an exercise, and a song example. The final lesson will be a combination of rhythms used throughout the workshop over the Brazilian classic, “Girl From Ipanema”.
Bossa Nova Rhythm Essentials – 1
If you’re a beginner pianist and would like to learn more about Bossa Nova rhythms, this workshop is for you!
Each of the six lessons will comprise of a Bossa comping rhythm, an exercise, and a song example. The final lesson will be a combination of rhythms used throughout the workshop over the Brazilian classic, “Girl From Ipanema”.
Funk Rhythm Essentials – 2
If you’re an intermediate/advanced level pianist and would like to learn more about funk rhythms, then this workshop is for you!
Each of the six lessons will comprise of a funk comping rhythm, an exercise, and a song example. The final lesson will be a combination of rhythms used throughout the workshop over a minor blues.
Funk Rhythm Essentials – 1
If you’re a beginner-level pianist and would like to learn more about funk rhythms, then this workshop is for you!
Each of the six lessons will comprise of a funk comping rhythm, an exercise, and a song example. The final lesson will be a combination of rhythms used throughout the workshop over a minor blues.
