JAZZ

TRAINING

WORKBOOK

The Jazz Training Workbook is a community-driven training book. This means YOU can decide what goes into it.

Help is finally here.

Because jazz is improvisation-based, it can be very difficult, frustrating, even discouraging to learn. I am a classically trained musician who has been teaching himself how to play jazz for a decade.

Through transcribing several hundreds of jazz piano arrangements and analyzing them, I have uncovered patterns, techniques and systems in improvisation. I use these systems to teach myself improvisation and jazz techniques, and share them with you!

~Timothy Gondola

The Jazz Training Workbook is:

  • I am taking all of your suggestions and requests, combining them with my own expertise, ideas, and practice techniques and am creating a more wholistic jazz training method.

  • What do you want to learn? What do you need help with? Your requests and suggestions are determining the structure, content, and direction of this workbook.

  • Some of us have several available hours a day to practice. Some of us barely have 5 minutes. You'll be able to choose from multiple practice routines that fit with your schedule.

  • As we walk through the various exercises, you'll find helpful explanations that explain the concepts clearly. Pair this with the free Jazz Starter Pack and Study Notes to master the material.

  • At the launch of the Jazz Training Workbook, take part in the 7 Day Challenge!

Progress

This section is updated weekly to show how the workbook is coming along.

1. Structuring

This is the outline and structure of the workbook.

2. Materials

The development of all sheet music, exercises and PDFs which will be part of the workbook.

3. Formatting

The collation of all graphics and text into the actual workbook PDF.

4. Editing/Testing

Once the workbook is complete, I will personally go through it as a student, to check any errors and make improvements to the flow.

Community Input.

  • Mer, Madagascar 🇲🇬

    “I need jazz vocabulary exercises to help me understand the mechanics of improv.”

  • Fred, France 🇫🇷

    “I have tried to learn jazz piano for a very long time now. Among the things I find difficult: what to play with the left hand, how to memorize pieces, how to get out of cliché phrases. I tend to play the same phrases over and over again.”

  • James, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “I'd say my 2 areas requiring help are "hip voicings" and voice leading (both comping and linear).”

  • Stan, South Korea 🇰🇷

    “I don’t understand jazz chord progressions. I would love to understand the theory of jazz harmony. “

  • Valir, Romania 🇷🇴

    “Chord voicings (especially LH) that sound like jazz. I know the theory and I can play 'correct' voicings, but I can't seem to get the sounds I hear from pro players.”

  • Alec, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “I need help with comping in the left hand to enhance what’s going on in the right hand! The comping should include chord voicing and melodic patterns as well!”

  • Wazokusami, Japan 🇯🇵

    “I want to learn how to use chromatic notes in improvisation/not just the pentatonic scale to improvise.”

  • Peter, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “I’d like to be able to identify notes and intervals by ear.”

  • James, U.K. 🇬🇧

    “My biggest problem is motivation. Then seeing this enormous mountain of work in front of me ‘everything, all 12 keys’... So maybe breaking it up with ‘learn this small thing, practise it’…something I can use to feel like I'm getting better, without feeling like I need to know EVERYTHING before I start.”

  • Darryl, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “Could you include in your Jazz Workbook hand independence exercises that train both hands for genres that lead to ragtime, stride, boogie etc…”

  • Kay, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “If I'm given a ‘lead sheet.’ It is so hard. I just don't have the understanding or skill to properly restructure the chords on a lead sheet. It's like speaking or reading a foreign language. I want to learn how to read/interpret a lead sheet, and how to comp when playing with a jazz trio or group.”

  • David, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “My problem is very predictable and monotonous left hand pattern.

    Would you include the most common chord progressions that would cover 70%+ jazz standards and various techniques to play left hand as accompaniment?”

  • Jonathan, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “Can you include its immediate application? Two or more would be perfect.”

  • Elijah, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “My biggest problem is maintaining a practice routine. Also tell people to practice to a metronome. #1 thing that improved my sense of rhythm.”

  • Ariam, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “Ear training tips is what would be most helpful. Recognizing chord progressions and reharmonization.”

  • Nicolas, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “Would love short exercises to play in 10 min focused in the main different areas of improvement.”

  • Ala, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

    “I started learning jazz by myself 2 years ago and have always played alone. This has resulted in a terrible sense of tempo and rhythm, that is now getting better since I play with people more, and I use the metronome. Still, I would be interested in some rhythm exercises, to really get a better internal pulse.”

Tell me what YOU need!

Make your mark in jazz education by helping me fine-tune
this Jazz Training Workbook to fit your needs. As a thank you for submitting your input, you get a free transcription of your choice.