Sound Familiar?

Maybe you've wanted to improvise for a while now. You know your scales and theory, but when it's time to solo, you freeze up or fall back into the same patterns. Your playing sounds more like scale exercises than actual music.

I felt exactly the same way when I started. It took me years of trial and error to figure out what was missing. After teaching hundreds of students, I finally distilled everything into the framework you'll learn in this course.

This is the systematic approach I wish I'd had back then. It's how working jazz musicians actually think when they improvise, and it works.

🎅 Holiday Sale: $159 $59 🎄

Save $100 This includes the complete video curriculum, practice exercises, downloadable resources, and lifetime access to all materials.

Enroll for $59

Watch a Sample Lesson

4.5 Hours of Video Lessons

    1. How to Get the Most Out of this Course

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Worksheets

    3. My Approach to Soloing

    4. Listening Exercise: Chet Baker on Tangerine

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Chord Tones Only

    2. Quarter Note Runs

    3. Eighth Note Runs

    4. With Extensions and Alterations

    5. Practicing over a Rhythmic Transcription

    1. What are in-between notes?

    2. Half-Step Approaches

    3. Whole-Step Approaches

    4. Practicing Approach Notes

    1. Swing Articulation

    2. Syncopation

    3. 8th Notes vs 8th Note Triplets

    1. Chord Tones on the Beat

    2. Common Mistake

    3. Approaches

    4. Enclosures

    5. Extended Enclosures

    6. Combining Movements

    1. Introduction to Scales

    2. Finding Key Centers

    3. Picking Scales for Key Centers

    4. Dominant Scale

About this course

  • $59.00
  • 37 lessons
  • 4.5 hours of video content
  • Community of fellow students
  • Weekly live workshops

Our Students Make Real Progress

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Over 500 students have rated our courses 4-stars or better.

“This course gave me a clear direction, allowing me to focus on one goal at a time. It was fun, it motivated me, and the challenge provided me with valuable perspective and new ideas.”

Natalie B.

“Josh produces such great content on a weekly basis, and there's always a good practice plan to go alongside...I only wish my fingers could keep up with it all!”

Ron T.

“The course has been spot on for my needs. I am especially impressed that you cared enough to take the time to condense it down to just the beef so that we didn't have to search to find it. I am also impressed with the quality of your website and videos and its ease of use.”

Brian B

“Josh's Friday workshops are helping me in my real gigs. I was able to confidently improvise and solo during a set—just by using the scales and concepts we practiced that day. His explanations make theory click and show up in my playing immediately.”

Barb C

“Josh’s 7-day challenge was so well taught, I signed up for the full year. I especially love how he ordered the keys from easiest to hardest—it made the learning process feel approachable and doable.”

William W.

“We all love the fancy chords, voicings and scales. But, Josh's relentless focus on mastery of the fundamentals is what keeps bringing me back for more.”

Jeff L.

Who This Course Is For

You're a good fit for Beginning Improvisation if...

  • You know your basic scales and theory, but freeze up or fall back into patterns when it's time to solo

  • You're a classical pianist (or other musician) trying to figure out how jazz improvisation actually works

  • Your solos sound like you're running through scale exercises instead of making music

  • You overthink every note and can't get out of your head when you improvise

  • You understand chord progressions intellectually but don't know how to navigate them melodically in real-time

  • You've tried learning improvisation before but the explanations were too fast, too abstract, or too complicated

  • You want a systematic, building-block approach that starts simple and builds your skills step-by-step

  • You're ready to stop memorizing licks and start thinking like an improviser

30-Day Guarantee

There's nothing to risk.  We want you to be satisfied.  

If you are unhappy with your purchase within the first 30 days, just reach out to us and we'll give you a full refund.

Join for $59 ($100 off)

Get Started learning to improvise immediately.

Enroll today

I'm Josh Walsh

Jazz Performer / Educator

I studied piano at the University of Toledo, Cleveland Institute of Music, Oberlin Conservatory and built the classical technique to play almost anything... at least until you put a lead sheet in front of me. Playing spontaneously terrified me. It took years to build the skills to improvise confidently, and I've spent the last 5 years helping over 6,000 students do the same. My approach focuses on practical application, not just academic theory, so you can actually play standards with confidence. Over 150,000 musicians watch my YouTube lessons monthly, and hundreds of members join me live every week in online workshops and in-person masterclasses. Let me help you skip the years of confusion I went through.

Josh Walsh

Founder

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What level is this course designed for?

    This course is designed for beginning improvisers—whether you're brand new to jazz soloing or you've been stuck trying to improvise for years. You should know basic music theory (keys, scales, chord quality) and be able to read a lead sheet, but you don't need any improvisation experience. If you're a classical musician trying to figure out jazz, this is exactly where to start.

  • How long does it take to complete?

    The course includes about 4.5 of video instruction, but it will take you much longer to master the material. You'll see progress immediately, but don't rush through the lessons. You could spend weeks on each of the exercises! You'll have lifetime access, so you can move at your own pace and revisit sections whenever you need to.

  • I've tried learning improvisation before and got overwhelmed. Will this be different?

    Yes. Most jazz education throws scales, modes, and complex theory at you without teaching you how to actually think like an improviser. This course uses a building-block approach—we start with simple, practical concepts and layer complexity gradually. You'll start improvising in the first few lessons, not after memorizing a bunch of theory.

  • Do I need to know all my scales and modes first?

    No. We actually don't get into scales until later in the course. You'll start by learning how to think melodically using chord tones and simple in-between notes. When we do introduce scales, you'll already understand how to use them musically instead of just running exercises.

  • I'm a classical pianist. Will I understand this?

    Absolutely. Many of my students come from classical backgrounds and find that this approach finally makes jazz improvisation make sense. I explain everything in clear, practical concepts you can apply immediately.

  • What if I play guitar (or another instrument)?

    While I demonstrate concepts on piano, the principles apply to any instrument. You're learning how to think melodically and navigate harmony—skills that translate across all instruments. Many of my guitar, bass, and horn player students have used this method successfully.

  • Will this work if I can only practice 15-30 minutes a day?

    Yes. Consistent practice is more important than long practice sessions. The exercises are designed to be focused and practical. Even short daily practice sessions will build your improvisation skills over time.

  • What if I get stuck or have questions?

    You'll have lifetime access to all course materials, so you can revisit any section as many times as you need. You'll also have access to our online community where you can ask questions and connect with other students.

  • Is there a money-back guarantee?

    Yes. If you work through the course and don't feel like it's helping you improvise better, just email me within 30 days for a full refund. No questions asked.