Jazz piano sounds fun until you sit down and it hits you:
"Uhh...where do I start??"
Ever notice how some make starting jazz piano look effortless, while others just struggle?
What if the “real” starting point was much more clear and doable than you ever thought possible?
And gave the real-world skills to sound like you’re playing real jazz, right away?
(And without needing a PhD in jazz, music theory, years of experience, or guessing what all of those weird looking chord symbols mean)
WARNING: May cause unexpected confidence, rhythmic head-bopping, and friends asking, “Wait… that was YOU playing?!"
Have you ever thought...
“Were the hell do I even start with jazz piano?!”
"Why does everything I know from Classical piano feel useless when I try jazz?"
"Why is there no clear roadmap or clear process for jazz beginners?"
Well...
Congrats! You have officially earned your badge in Advanced Jazz Confusion.
And I'm here to tell you that it’s not your fault.
You just haven’t been shown the right way or what actually sets you up for real success.
Hi, I'm Justin Highland
When I first dove into jazz, I was a Classical piano performance major with over 14 years of experience, and ZERO CLUE how to improvise or play jazz.
Wanting to try jazz, I got tossed into my university's Jazz Big Band, full of players who actually knew what they were doing.
It was intimidating and nerve-wracking, to say the least...
Lead sheets being passed around with strange looking chord symbols...
While trying to hopelessly construct chords I had never really played before.
I tried to fake it, hoping nobody notice, or call on me to solo.
Of course, the director called on me to solo soon after starting the first tune...
My mind went completely blank. My entire body went into shock.
14 years of piano training VANISHED IN AN INSTANT.
It was a BRUTAL wake-up call.
Fast-forward 15+ years later after becoming a working jazz musician, and teaching hundreds of students worldwide from total beginners to advanced players...
I can say with 100% confidence, starting with the Blues isn’t just a cliché.
It’s the best foundation possible you could ever have for jazz.
The foundation you actually and desperately need.
It teaches and prepares you for EVERYTHING you need to play real jazz.
Because here’s the truth:
Beginners have no clue where to even begin.
When they ask what jazz songs they should learn, they're given tons of (completely and terribly wrong) advice to learn complex standards like Misty, All of Me, or Autumn Leaves wayyyyy too soon.
And quickly find out those tunes are far more than they ever expected.
The result?
They end up being completely and utterly overwhelmed and confused.
What's worse, they end up being stuck, frustrated, and wondering why jazz feels next to impossible.
And soon after that, it's an endless maze of Theory, books, YouTube tutorials, overwhelm, and so much conflicting advice it’s a jazz mental breakdown waiting to happen—hair-pulling is 100% guaranteed.
And that’s where me and this course comes in.
It cuts through literally all of that icky confusion and overwhelm, and actually teaches you how to learn and play real jazz from day one, right away.
Students say this course unlocked jazz for them
in a way nothing else did before.
Don’t take my word for it. See for yourself:
"I'm very happy to have purchased Justin Highland's course. I follow Justin on YouTube and find his content to be unique - the concepts that he provides, and also the practical application, The course has been fantastic. I find that I can easily sit down and practice the content.
It's structured and there's plenty for me to learn. I'm really pleased and I recommend that you go for it."
- Richard Martin
"I wanted to learn jazz piano. For years I tried transcribing, memorizing fakebook tunes, but it didn't get me very far. Justin’s course changed that. I'm super pleased with it, the materials are very, very clear. I've been a professor for 35 years and this is excellent teaching. It’s unmatched by anything else I've encountered, and I’m thrilled to be learning from this."
- Charles Grogg
Here's the truth nobody tells you:
99% OF JAZZ COURSES AND TEACHERS CONFUSE TEACHING
WITH SHOWING OFF INSTEAD.
This one’s a real heartbreaker.
They will hypnotize you with lush sounding chords and fast licks…
…then leave you with ZERO idea of how to actually do it yourself.
Which is just criminal and absolutely ABSURD.
And the practice plan? Forget it. You’re on your own!
Some even throw you straight into tunes you have no business touching yet, and you wouldn't even know why you're not ready otherwise.
Or, they bury you under a mountain of chord/scale theory that’s basically musical tax codes...and they're not even musical!
Others skip the basics entirely — because apparently, you're supposed to "Already know that."
(Spoiler: you probably don’t. And that’s totally fine.)
And they all assume you will be able to figure everything out from there.
UGH!!!
Here’s the hard truth:
It is NOT your fault.
YOU HAVE BEEN LIED TO AND MISLEAD.
Here’s what my course gives you that all the others don’t:
• The absolute best foundation: the 12-bar Blues in two extremely common keys, and the exact tunes to start learning afterwards—and how to actually improvise effectively over them.
• How to actually hear, feel, and use Major Blues vs. Minor Blues (and their scales) so your improv doesn’t sound like guesswork.
• The role and power of the left hand — and why it’s the secret weapon beginners completely ignore.
• Improvisation 101: How to actually improvise right away using real-world Compositional devices and techniques for solos that actually say something. NOT just chord/scale theory that leaves you sounding like a computer program.
• Rhythm, groove and feel that makes you sound like a real jazz player.
• Jazz chords and voicings that go beyond the basics and why we use them.
• How to break out of the "scale box" — and how it INSTANTLY makes your lines much more interesting and musical.
• The truth about scales and how to use them musically, without sounding scale-y or wondering why you sound "random."
• How to create strong, organic phrases that actually sound like music instead of scale runs and "hoping for the best."
If other courses feel like they’re made for “late beginners,” mine is designed for the actual starting point.
So you can play real jazz right away, with a crystal clear, step-by-step path and the confidence to keep going.
The system is broken, and the vast majority of teachers simply don't even have a clear path themselves.
Yes, there IS a solution!
I have some great news:
I packed DECADES of playing and teaching into one straightforward, step-by-step course that takes out all of the mystery and confusion.
I’ll show you how to start playing and improvising right away, so you’re not stuck drowning in theory, or learning complex standard jazz songs that are way over your head.
If you don’t have a rock-solid foundation, every new tune just adds to the confusion.
And, there will be many massive gaps in your playing and knowledge if you skip this CRUCIAL foundation.
This is the same process I only WISH I had when I came into jazz from a rigid Classical background.
No fluff. No mystery. Just a realistic, proven path to feel confident even if you have never improvised before.
You will get real clarity and understand how the Blues connects to just about every jazz tune you will ever play.
The Blues is literally the pre-cursor to jazz (a simple Google search will easily tell you this).
Blues tunes make up about 1/3 of the standard jazz repertoire, are called often at jam sessions and gigs, and will always be something to
So that's why I created...
Here's how this little course will TRANSFORM
your playing and improvisation skills entirely:
• You will know EXACTLY where to start with jazz, and get the best foundation possible, without getting lost in a sea of Theory, confusion, overwhelm and “just listen to more Miles” advice.
• You will build your jazz foundation so solid, it makes every other tune you learn after feel 10x easier.
• You will stop wasting months on tunes and concepts that are way over your head, and start with ones that actually teach you something and give you momentum and real skills (without making you cry).
• You will learn improv techniques you can use over ANY jazz tune, without overwhelm or sounding like two pianists arguing in public.
• You will learn how to make good rhythm and groove a part of you, using swing and jazz rhythms, instead of “Classical but…weird.”
• You will learn about the power of the left hand, and how it completely transforms and affects the overall sound and mood of what you're playing. Even when you're advanced!
• You will learn improv techniques so powerful that they tell a story, without memorizing a single lick. And you can use them on any tune you ever play.
• You will quit hoarding “jazz chords” you will never use, and focus on the handful that make you sound like you know what you're doing.
• You will walk away with all of the skills to sound like you “get” jazz, and the skills to walk into any jam session, even if you’ve never played at a jam session or gig in your life
Wondering if this is for you?
If any of these things sound familiar,
you’re in the right place:
Jazz feels like a foreign language and you have no idea where to start.
You’re transitioning from Classical and are struggling where to even start with jazz piano.
You want a clear, step-by-step, structured process to start playing jazz.
You feel overwhelmed with too many options and don’t know what will actually move you forward.
You want to start improvising and playing jazz with confidence, not just playing aimlessly.
Want to tell an engaging and memorable story with your improv, not just play random notes.
What's Waiting Inside
(besides stopping the panic of “Where do I start?”)
1-hour of videos to guide you step-by-step, and give you 30 + years of distilled experience, expertise and insight.
4 Modules — No filler, just exactly what you need to get off the ground running with confidence:
• Mod 1 — Why the Blues is the foundational key to real jazz freedom.
• Mod 2 — The secret to sounding pro using the power of rhythm and swing.
• Mod 3 — Improv made simple: craft compelling lines using time-tested Compositional techniques.
• Mod 4 — The Full Sound Formula: Combining Left-Hand rhythm and Right-Hand creativity to play with confidence, authority and a pro-level sound.
PDF Worksheets for each module loaded with practical, effective exercises. And hacks that make practicing less painful and way more fun and productive. (Yes, they're typed and notated correctly. Your eyes will thank me.)
Access to a private Discord community where you can ask questions, share wins, upload videos of your progress, and connect with other like-minded jazz nerds.
🎉 BONUSES 🎉
• “Listening with Purpose” Guide — Listening is THE most crucial key to learning jazz, especially as a beginner. It's the most important thing you could do. Skip this, and you will spend years guessing instead of months progressing.
• 20 Beginner Jazz Tunes List + Lead Sheets — 20 first tunes to learn in order, to get you your jazz journey on the right track. Each tune builds on the last for a structured and progressive path. Includes reference recordings for each tune.
• History of Jazz Piano Listening Guide — Get a detailed, comprehensive listening guide from the beginnings through the modern day, with explanations of each era/style with direct links to multiple listening examples.
• Jazz Terms Glossary — Over 170 jazz terms and slang, defined and decoded. No more smiling and nodding when someone says “Tritone sub,” “Head,” or “Blowing.” This is your crash course for being able to understand and communicate jazz terms.
• My Classical to Jazz eBook — This 75+ page published eBook shows you exactly how to get on the right path to avoid years of confusion and frustration without losing your losing your Classical foundation. If you have ever felt “too classical” for jazz, this will show you exactly how to transition successfully and the smoothest way possible.
Let's put this all into perspective...
Private mentoring or coaching with me? Easily $6,000 a year or more.
Top jazz schools like Berklee or The New School charge $10,000 + per semester, and you still won’t get this level of clarity and focus.
Beginners DO NOT need more Theory, books and overwhelm.
They need a clear, practical path to build real jazz piano skills the right way, FAST.
You won’t pay $10,000. You won’t even pay $500.
So here it is: The Beginner Jazz Piano Bluesprint.
Your complete foundation course for jazz piano, in just ONE HOUR.
All for a one-time payment of $49.
That's less than half for a 1-hour private lesson with me and most others.
This course breaks down the core fundamentals and essentials you need to play jazz piano confidently with practice plans, exercises and the insider knowledge and tools to truly build your chops from day one.
If you’re ready to stop wasting time and finally play jazz piano with the best foundation you could possibly get...
This is your chance.
Or you can keep spinning your wheels and watch others get ahead.
Your call.
No more excuses — let’s build the foundation that matters.
Just click the button below to get started.
BASIC
$49
Bonuses not included
Complete step-by-step course, 4 modules, 1 hour of lesson videos
PDF Worksheets for each Module
Lifetime access
Access to private Discord community
PRO
$69
MOST POPULAR
BONUSES: ($100 value)
Complete step-by-step course: 4 modules, 1 hour of lesson videos
PDF Worksheets for each Module
Lifetime access
Access to private Discord community
Let’s be real.
Most any other beginner jazz course? They literally just teach you a bunch of boring theory and string pieces together with no real direction.
You play a line, it kind of works (but not really)… so you just keep going and hope it will all fall into place from there.
But what if you didn’t have to do ANY guesswork?
I want you to ask yourself:
What would it do for you if you could have the tools, techniques, and the know-how to have the most rock-solid foundation possible, and improvise with total confidence — cutting out YEARS of wasted time, frustration and confusion?
Because that’s what this course actually delivers.
Just a crystal-clear framework that shows you how to think and sound like a creative improviser, like someone who actually knows what they’re doing.
If you have no idea where to start, have been fumbling through basics, or are just tired of feeling stuck right out of the gate, this is your fix.
Yep, I anticipated these:
If you have never touched a piano before, this unfortunately isn’t for you. You will need basic piano skills; be able to play with both hands, know what a chord and scale is, and knowing your way around the keyboard a bit — the PDFs are fully notated. However, if you're not so great at reading music, that's fine and it isn't completely necessary. I demonstrate every single PDF example on the keyboard in the videos so you get the same benefits, even if your reading skills aren't great.
You need to know what a scale and a chord is, and be able to find middle C without GPS. Beyond that, no. I will walk you through the exact theory you need for jazz and skip the textbook overload that makes most people quit.
Yes! This course is designed with Classical pianists in mind, as that was my background. You will finally know exactly where to start, what to focus on and exactly what to practice, all without abandoning your Classical chops.
Everyone is different, but if you actually put in the work and stay consistent, you will start sounding like a jazz pianist in a matter of days to weeks, not years. It's not magic and there is no mystery. Stick with it, and these skills won’t just be a phase — they will become part of your playing and guide your jazz playing for life.
No, not for this particular course. It's not a “watch it once and never use it again” kind of thing. It's not even half the price of a private lesson with me, or most any other experienced teacher or pro.
You get lifetime access, all the materials, and a crystal clear, structured roadmap to actually start playing jazz right away. These skills stick with you and are the foundation of your jazz journey, for life. You will ALWAYS come back to playing the Blues and using the things you learn from it on ANY tune you ever play!
Fear not! There is really no way someone can get stuck with a course this clear and organized. It's just a matter of practice and getting used to the rhythms, swing, groove, feel and coordinating your hands together (which is the hard part of playing piano in general), which everyone learning jazz goes through.
You're not alone and can jump into the private Discord server (if you use or know about Slack, it's very similar) where you can ask questions and get direct answers from me personally, upload clips of your playing for feedback, and connect with other music nerds who get exactly what you’re going through. This community and I have your back to help you keep moving forward, and actually enjoy the ride.