1️⃣ What level do I need to be to start improvising jazz?

You can start improvising at any level. The notion that you need advanced technique before improvising is fundamentally flawed—it's like telling a child not to speak until they've mastered grammar. Musical expression doesn't require complexity; in fact, some of the most profound statements in jazz come from simplicity. You can say more with one well-placed note than with a  million! Start where you are.  Resources like Major and Minor Meditations and Incredibly Cool Licks are designed to build your improvisational voice from the ground up. 

2️⃣ I don't know where to start practicing jazz.

This is one of the most common—and paralyzing—challenges jazz students face. The solution is to begin acquiring authentic jazz vocabulary immediately. Focus on the essential "jazzy notes": the interplay of major and minor thirds, the blues arpeggio, and soul scales. These foundational elements give you instant access to the jazz sound. The Foundational Learning Pathway on Jazzduets provides a clear, structured entry point designed to eliminate confusion and get you playing with confidence from day one. ➡️ Start here

3️⃣ What should I learn first in jazz improvisation?

Start with the blues. The 12-bar blues progression contains the three most fundamental chords in jazz—I, IV, and V—and serves as the foundation for countless standards and improvisational concepts. Two Jazzduets resources are specifically designed to launch your blues journey: Soul Scale Course Module 1 and the Pizza Blues Method. Master the blues, and you'll have a framework that applies across the entire jazz repertoire.  ➡️ Language Pathway

4️⃣ Which jazz songs or progressions should I start with?

After the blues, learn Autumn Leaves. This timeless standard features one of the most beautiful melodies ever written and a chord progression that has become a cornerstone of jazz education. Its structure invites reharmonization and improvisation, making it essential for any serious student. From there, progress to All The Things You Are and Rhythm Changes. Jazzduets offers dedicated courses for both Autumn Leaves and Rhythm Changes to guide your study.

5️⃣ How should I structure limited jazz practice time?

Effective practice requires clear goals and intentional focus. Structure your sessions around these priorities: ear training, jazz scales and exercises applied to standard progressions, transcriptions as well as some keyboard! . Challenge yourself, but choose material you're genuinely passionate about—practicing without engagement or focus is sub optimal.

6️⃣ Why am I practicing jazz every day but making no progress?

Absorbing jazz language takes time, and progress isn't always linear. The key is following a structured learning path with trusted material that builds systematically. Record yourself regularly to assess your development objectively—identify weak areas and address them deliberately. The four Jazzduets Learning Paths provide the roadmap you need to ensure your daily practice translates into measurable progress and confident performance.