I’ve included these 2 topics under one heading because they’re so inter-related. The things you’ll find here are will be super helpful for students AND teachers (I’ve been playing and teaching for a long time, and I still consider myself a student!) They’re organized by level and topic, but I encourage you to explore all the pages…one student’s “intermediate” might well be another’s “advanced.” You’ll find that there is a basic “flow,” and I recommend that you follow that. For instance, I think you should know the modes of the major scale before you tackle the modes of melodic minor.
I’d start with Jazz Theory 101, where you’ll learn what the “parent key” ( I prefer the term “tonal center”) is. And, I’ll be adding new material here all the time, so check back often.
I’m pretty sure your teachers and directors have told you how important it is to know your scales in all the keys. And, when it comes to mastering improvisation, they are absolutely right. Pretty much everything you will learn in this area is based on knowing your scales… that’s how you create chords, build melodies, and it really is the foundation for learning how to be a great jazz musician. I really want to encourage you to work on these a lot. You won’t be sorry, I promise!
Many of these pages reference some great resources (web sites, apps etc.) that I use and recommend. These will really enhance your experience, and I hope you’ll check them out on the More page.