Hi everyone 
I’ve created a new course format on PianoGroove called Jumpstarts.
I regularly receive questions here in the forum and via email about which courses and learning paths students should follow.
With 800 lessons and 60 courses on PianoGroove, I understand that it can sometimes be difficult to know where to begin or what to study next.
What Are Jumpstarts?
Jumpstarts are short, 7-lesson courses designed to help you build confidence, make some quick progress at the piano, and find the most suitable longer-term learning path based on your experience and musical goals.
Think of them as short introductory courses that give you some practical skills and a clear sense of direction before moving into a more comprehensive learning path.
The 7-Day Jazz Piano Jumpstart
The first course in this new format is the 7-Day Jazz Piano Jumpstart which launched last week:
This Jumpstart is designed for students who are new to jazz piano or have a little experience but aren’t sure where to begin.
We focus on the tune Moon River , just working through the A and B sections of the tune rather than tackling the entire arrangement.
Along the way, we explore chord voicings, melody interpretation, melodic embellishment, tips for practicing tricky harmonic sections, and ways to start playing more spontaneously.
An important message throughout the jumpstart is that jazz theory takes time to develop, but you don’t need to master all the theory before you can start making beautiful music at the piano.
On Day 7, we explore the first 3 major learning paths on PianoGroove and discuss which might be the best next step for you.
I’ve also created 3 accompanying PDFs explaining who each path is designed for, what you’ll learn, and how to approach the material:
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1 - Lead Sheet Fundamentals - Path 1.pdf (121.3 KB)
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2 - Essential Jazz Harmony - Path 2.pdf (126.8 KB)
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3 - Elegant Solo Jazz Piano - Path 3.pdf (111.1 KB)
Jumpstart Page Layout & Lessons.
You’ll notice that the Jumpstart pages look a little different from the regular course pages.
There’s a greater emphasis on lesson progress tracking , so you can easily see how far you’ve come and how many lessons are remaining.
I’ve also tried to keep the lessons a little shorter than usual, averaging around 15 minutes, while still including plenty of actionable tips and useful musical insights.
Upcoming Jumpstarts
All Jumpstarts will contain 7 lessons, but there’s no need to complete them over 7 consecutive days. You can work through them at whatever pace feels comfortable for you.
I’ve already mapped out several more Jumpstarts which I’ll be recording and publishing over the coming weeks:
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Blues & Groove Jumpstart — For students specifically interested in blues piano, groove, and hand independence.
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Classical To Jazz Jumpstart — For students with classical piano training who want to transition into jazz, lead sheets, and improvisation.
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Beyond The Basics Jumpstart — For students already comfortable with jazz fundamentals who want to develop richer voicings, more sophisticated arrangements, and a clearer route into intermediate and advanced material.
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Jazz Improvisation Jumpstart — For students who want to develop their improvisation skills and learn how to create melodic ideas, fills, and solos. I originally intended the Autumn Leaves Improvisation Course to serve as this Jumpstart, but it became much more in-depth than I’d planned during recording!
I’m hoping these new Jumpstarts will make it easier for everyone to navigate the PianoGroove library and find a clear, enjoyable route through the material.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the new format , particularly if you’ve already started the 7-Day Jazz Piano Jumpstart.
And if there’s a particular topic you’d like to see covered in a future Jumpstart, don’t hesitate to let me know below.
Hayden