A graduate of the University of North Texas, pianist, composer/arranger, and educator Austin Byrd has been fortunate enough to perform with Arturo Sandoval, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eric Marienthal, Francisco Torres, Marshall Gilkes, Tom Kubis, Ron Stout, Tierney Sutton, and many others. He has also toured the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Austin currently teaches jazz piano at Mt. San Antonio College and can be heard performing around Los Angeles with the Kevin Hicks Quartet and other local artists. View his website and arrangements here, and check out his spotify.
About Austin Byrd

Favorite piano styles
  • Jazz
Austin Byrd's Latest Courses

In this course, we'll learn how to play the famous bossa nova jazz standard - Girl From Ipanema. Starting with the lead sheet, we’ll memorize the melody/chords, apply the bossa nova groove, embellish the right hand melody, master a variety of improv & soloing techniques, and more!

View All of Austin Byrd's Courses

Austin Byrd's Quick Tips (Instructor)

Analyzing the brilliant Sonny Rollins' solo from his timeless recording of "St. Thomas."

Learn the techniques to expand your jazz vocabulary with three useful exercises. First Austin explains how to play arpeggios over all the changes. Next, he covers the "Rock Climber" exercise, and finally he provides a brief overview of "upper structures."

View All of Austin Byrd's Quick Tips (Instructor)


Austin Byrd's Quick Tips (Writer)

Learn how to play a jazz piano lead sheet in 4 easy steps. You will learn the melody, walking bass line, rootless voicings, and the full arrangement.

Learn a simple trick for connecting Major 7 chords using the 2-Note-Drop technique.

View All of Austin Byrd's Quick Tips (Writer)

Austin Byrd's Smartsheets

In this course, we'll learn how to play the famous bossa nova jazz standard - Girl From Ipanema. Starting with the lead sheet, we’ll memorize the melody/chords, apply the bossa nova groove, embellish the right hand melody, master a variety of improv & soloing techniques, and more!

Learn the techniques to expand your jazz vocabulary with three useful exercises. First Austin explains how to play arpeggios over all the changes. Next, he covers the "Rock Climber" exercise, and finally he provides a brief overview of "upper structures."

View All of Austin Byrd's Smartsheets

Austin Byrd's Latest Shows
Intermediate/Advanced Q+A Submissions (May 2021)

In this video, Austin answered all of your questions that were submitted in the month of May.

Student Assessment (May 2021)

In this Student Assessment video, Austin reviewed student video submissions from May and provided personalized feedback.

Student Assessment (November 2020)

In this Student Assessment, Austin Byrd reviewed student video submissions from the month of November and provide personalized feedback and guidance.

Q+A Submissions (November 2020)

In this Q&A Submissions video, Austin Byrd answered all of your questions about the piano and music in general that were submitted in the month of November.

Learn from Austin Byrd

Get access to all of Jonny May's courses, lessons, quick tips and more with a PWJ membership!


Guided Learning Tracks

View guided learning tracks for all music styles and skill levels

Progress Tracking

Complete lessons and courses as you track your learning progress

Downloadable Resources

Download Sheet Music and Backing Tracks

Community Forums

Engage with other PWJ members in our member-only community forums

Become a better piano player today. Join with the 14-Day Free Trial today!

Get Started