Jazz Theory Unlocked
Discover the hidden logic of jazz harmony, so you can stop guessing and start playing with clarity and control.
A Fundamental Course by Jazzadvice
The missing piece of your jazz education
Scales, chords, arpeggios… you’ve probably practiced them all. But when you get to the bandstand, everything feels disconnected.
You’re stuck asking:
- “Which scale do I play here?”
- “Why does this progression feel so confusing?”
- “How do I connect one idea to the next?”
The truth is, jazz harmony isn’t random. The greats weren’t guessing. There’s a hidden logic at work — a framework that makes every note, every chord, and every progression fit together for a reason.
Jazz Theory Unlocked is where you finally see that framework.
Not more charts to memorize, just clarity you can use. You’ll learn the why behind harmony so your improvisation moves with purpose, not guesswork.
Get This Course Inside
Jazzadvice PRO
Jazz Theory Unlocked is included in Jazzadvice PRO, along with four other full-length courses and every member-only lesson.
Join thousands of musicians learning jazz with Jazzadvice PRO
Did you know that jazz theory today has HUGE holes in it?
And these holes are exactly why so many players stay stuck…
You see, most theory books and teachers will give you a mountain of scales and chord symbols, but they leave out the most important part: why it all works together.
That’s why you end up feeling like…
- You’re guessing which scale to use over every chord
- Tunes feel more confusing the longer you study them
- Solos sound forced instead of flowing naturally
The truth is, jazz harmony has a clear internal logic. Once you understand it, you’ll see the same relationships and progressions showing up everywhere, so you’ll finally have the tools to improvise with confidence.
And that’s exactly what Jazz Theory Unlocked teaches you.
Here’s What You’ll Discover Inside…
- Chord Function & Voice-Leading – Go deeper into how chords relate, resolve, and connect. Once you understand the purpose behind the harmony, you can leverage those relationships in your solos and catapult your improvisation forward.
- The Essential Elements of Every Tune – Major harmony, minor harmony, and how chords flow between keys seamlessly. It’s all been staring you in the face the whole time — now you’ll finally have the tools to understand and apply it.
- Applying Theory to Standards – Translate theory into concepts and tools you can actually use when you solo. No more abstract ideas — real application to the tunes you play.
- The Harmonic Map – Instantly see the structure behind every tune so you never feel lost again. You’ll understand the relationships everyone else misses.
By the end, you won’t just “know the changes.” You’ll understand them on a deep level and use them the way the pros do.
Go Beyond One Course
Jazz Theory Unlocked is just one part of the complete Jazzadvice system. When you join Jazzadvice PRO, you take the next step, unlocking everything we’ve built to transform the way you learn jazz:
- 4 More Fundamental Courses — covering ear training, melodic language, visualization, and mindset.
- The Complete Library of Member Lessons — hundreds of deep dives on the exact skills pros rely on.
- All Future Releases Included — every new course and lesson we create, automatically added to your membership.
Together, these resources form a connected path, guiding you from understanding harmony to mastering improvisation.
Join thousands of musicians learning jazz with Jazzadvice PRO
So Who’s Behind Jazzadvice?
We’re Forrest & Eric — two musicians who’ve studied with jazz legends like Mulgrew Miller, Rich Perry, Harold Mabern and more…
Over the years, we’ve transcribed countless recordings, built our own practice systems, and continued to refine them year after year.
What you see on Jazzadvice is the distilled version of all that work: lessons, exercises, and courses designed to help you learn jazz faster and more deeply. Thousands of musicians around the world have used Jazzadvice to improve their playing, and you can too.
Jazz Theory Unlocked Lessons
Jazz Theory Unlocked is your personal guide to finally understanding jazz harmony the way professional players do.
Instead of throwing scales at you and leaving you to figure it out, this course is laid out in five clear parts with 60+ step-by-step video lessons.
Each lesson builds on the last, and the process is simple: watch, absorb, and then do the assignments. That’s how the ideas actually stick—and how you start hearing real results in your playing.
Along the way, you’ll start to:
- Understand the why behind every chord in a tune—not just what the chord is called, but the deeper purpose it serves.
- Break free from scale lists and start thinking like an improviser, not a student searching for the “right” option.
- See the storyline of a tune so learning and memorizing standards feels easy and natural, not forced.
And inside the course, we give you the systems pros use to make sense of harmony:
- The Framework of the 9 Elements – a tool to break down any standard and reveal the hidden logic that’s been there all along.
- The Framework of Diminished Chords – so diminished harmony stops being a mystery and starts being a sound you can actually use.
- Multiple Frameworks of Harmonic Possibility – major, minor, and beyond—so you can finally see what’s available at every single moment.
The end result?
You’ll walk away with a coherent harmony system that ties everything together. No more random tidbits. No more missing links. Just the clarity and control you’ve been searching for.
What Makes Jazz Theory Unlocked Different?
Most jazz theory courses throw scales at you and show you how to “plug them in” over chords. That’s not how the pros think. And it’s definitely not how this course works.
Instead, Jazz Theory Unlocked gives you a foundation in harmony—a way of seeing the logic behind every chord, progression, and tune. You’ll stop guessing and finally understand the why that drives the music forward.
Over five parts and 60+ video lessons, you’ll uncover things most players never get clear on:
- Where chords actually come from and how they behave
- How to build major harmony from the ground up—every single detail
- How to build minor harmony (and avoid the traps that confuse everyone)
- How major & minor connect and interact
- The deeper side of dominant chords and alterations
- The true role of diminished chords and how to use them
- How chords move and why they do what they do
- How tunes are really put together—and what makes certain ones stand out
- How great composers think when they want to surprise you
And the best part? We don’t just lecture at you from a dense textbook. The teaching style is built to make the lightbulbs go off:
- Super Visual – Instead of drowning in notation and theory jargon, we use diagrams, sketches, and visual frameworks. You’ll see harmony in a way that sticks in your mind.
- Fun & Engaging – No dry lectures here. The lessons are casual, entertaining, and easy to relate to. You’ll actually look forward to hitting play.
- Guided Through Every Detail – We don’t skip the tricky steps or gloss over the details. Every concept is broken down so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Rooted in Real Problems – Everything we teach comes from the struggles we went through ourselves—and the “aha moments” that unlocked progress.
- Focused on Jazz (Not Classical Theory) – Most theory courses borrow ideas from classical music or generic scale theory. We built this course for jazz musicians, period.
All you need to do is press play, pause on the diagrams when you want to absorb, and move through at your own pace. The assignments let you take each idea from theory to playing.
By the time you’re done, you won’t just know more theory—you’ll finally understand harmony the way the great improvisers do. And that’s the difference.
So if you’re ready to dive in, here’s why joining Jazzadvice PRO is the smartest way to do it…
What makes Jazzadvice PRO
such a good deal?
Each of our full-length Jazzadvice Courses is available individually for $229, and for good reason — they’re complete programs built to transform how you hear, understand, and play jazz.
And with Jazzadvice PRO you get all five courses, every PRO lesson, and everything new we release for just $10/month.
That’s over $1,000 worth of material included with Jazzadvice PRO.
Included With Jazzadvice PRO
Jazz Theory Unlocked
Ear Training Method
Melodic Power
Jazz Visualization Course
Reprogramming the Musical Mind
Full Library of PRO Lessons
Access to all Future Content
Individual Price
$229
$229
$229
$229
$229
$108/year
Included
TOTAL VALUE: Over $1,000
YOUR PRICE: Just $10/month (billed yearly)
Thousands of musicians paid full price for these courses and lessons, and for good reason. The material works. It helps players make real, lasting progress.
Jazzadvice PRO gives you everything for one low price — lessons, courses, and every new release — so you can stop piecing things together and start focusing on what really matters: becoming the player you want to be.
The Courses That Complete Your Path
Jazz Theory Unlocked is just one part of the complete learning system inside Jazzadvice PRO. Alongside it, you’ll get four more in-depth Jazzadvice Courses, each targeting a specific area of your playing…
The Ear Training Method
Stop guessing and start hearing music the way the pros do. With over 370 step-by-step audio lessons, this course takes you from intervals and chord qualities all the way to full jazz progressions, so you can recognize, sing, and play what you hear instantly.
Melodic Power
Scales alone won’t get you there. This course shows you how to internalize jazz language and improvise strong, lyrical lines by breaking down the techniques of players like Coltrane, Clifford Brown, and Stan Getz. You’ll build a toolkit of melodic devices that flow naturally into your solos.
Visualization for Jazz Improvisation
Ever wonder how the greats seem to think so fast and always know what comes next? This course uses visualization and audio drills to hardwire chord symbols, chord tones, and progressions into your mind until they’re second nature — giving you effortless control in any key, on any tune.
Reprogramming the Musical Mind
Great playing isn’t just physical, it’s mental. This 30-day audio course helps you overcome stage fright, comparison, and practice frustration by reshaping the way you approach music. The result: more focus, more confidence, and more freedom when you play.
Together with Jazz Theory Unlocked, these courses form a complete path — shaping everything from how you hear and think to how you improvise and understand harmony.
With Jazzadvice PRO, you get them all — every course, every lesson, and all future content in one place.
Ready to Unlock the Complete Path?
Get full access to every Jazzadvice course and lesson inside PRO — the most direct way to transform your playing.
If I could go back 20 years…
I wish I had this course when I was starting out. It would’ve saved me years of frustration and confusion.
Jazz Theory Unlocked isn’t about cramming rules or memorizing scale charts—it’s about finally understanding the logic of jazz harmony so you can play, compose, and improvise with confidence.
Here’s what happens when the lightbulb clicks:
- You start to think like a composer, seeing the decisions behind every tune and knowing how to make them yourself.
- You hear changes more clearly and can move through them with ease instead of second-guessing.
- You finally understand the why behind every chord, alteration, and progression—and use that knowledge to navigate the music like a pro.
With Jazz Theory Unlocked, all of this becomes possible. You’ll…
- Improvise with freedom because you know exactly what’s going on under the hood.
- Learn to construct and deconstruct tunes the way the masters do.
- Leave behind the confusion and guesswork that’s been holding you back.
This is the course I wish I’d had. Now it’s here for you—so you don’t have to waste years trying to piece it all together on your own.
What People Are Saying
I just got your Jazz Theory course and bro…it’s off the chain good!!! I’ve just finished Part One. I couldn’t put it down…it’s THAT good…it answered SO many questions. Jazz Theory Unlocked is like Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History Of Time” for Jazz Theory! It’s that incisive and clear.
– Kevin P.
I just wanted to thank the creators of jazz theory unlocked; it has been a total pleasure to learn from you. The material is presented clearly and effectively, and after going through the lessons I feel I now have the framework I have been searching for to apply to my playing. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of functional jazz harmony.
– Vanessa K.
Just wanted to reach out and let you know how incredible your Jazz Theory course is. All the courses are wonderfully thorough and have been a great resource over the years. Jazzadvice material is always presented in an excellent way and stands out from the fluff and unfinished courses that exist out in the wild. Thank you for all the the work you do!
– Jeff T.
How you presented the information was FABULOUS! I really believe I have not seen a better way of presenting this information. Thank you for that. It is well worth the money – and I am very schooled in the discipline. Imagine how one will feel who knows little about jazz theory.
– Bruce B.
Just would like to pass on my thanks for creating Jazz Theory Unlocked. It has been a game changer for me – spending hours of personal study time over the last few years trying to link all this important Jazz theory together has now become so much better with Jazz Theory Unlocked. The presentation is outstanding and so easy to study many times over. I look forward to any future courses in the same format.
– Philip C.
Just another word of kudos on your Jazz Theory Unlocked Course…it’s CRAZY GOOD!!! It’s so practical, giving the foundations for the things musicians actually need to know while playing….It’s making me really enjoy theory for the very first time (I’ve taken college theory & many other theory courses over the years) While previously it was something I held onto for dear life and tolerated because I had to, your course is actually enjoyable. Again, great job…it’s sooo needed!!!
– A followup from Kevin after using the course for a few weeks
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Join thousands of musicians learning jazz with Jazzadvice PRO
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: You can easily pay by credit card or PayPal.
Q: How do I access my content?
A: After checkout, simply log in to your Jazzadvice account. From your Dashboard you’ll instantly see everything included with Jazzadvice PRO or any individual Course you’ve purchased. Everything is online — no shipping, no waiting.
Q: Will my PRO Membership renew automatically?
A: Yes. Your membership will renew automatically. You can manage or cancel anytime directly from your account. One-time Course purchases do not renew. For full details, please see our PRO Membership Terms.
Q: What is Jazzadvice PRO?
A: Jazzadvice PRO is our complete membership. It includes all PRO Lessons, all PRO Courses, and all future content we release.
Q: What format is the material in?
A: All content is 100% online. Courses may include streamable video, written materials, and audio exercises. PRO Lessons often include downloadable PDFs or practice guides. Nothing is shipped.
Q: What if I’ve purchased a Course in the past?
A: You’ll always keep access to what you’ve purchased. Jazzadvice PRO simply goes further by giving you access to all PRO Courses, all PRO Lessons, and future member-only content in one membership.
Q: How do I cancel my membership?
A: You can manage or cancel your membership any time from your Account Settings on your Dashboard. When you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current annual membership term.
Q: Who is this for?
A: Jazzadvice PRO is for musicians who want to build a real foundation, study deeply, and apply what they learn. It’s not for total beginners, but if you know basic scales, chords, and progressions, you’ll benefit whether you’re an experienced beginner, intermediate, or advanced player.
Q: Will this work for my level?
A: Yes — as long as you’re not a complete beginner. If you’re just starting out but already know the basics, our Courses and Lessons will give you the structure and clarity to move forward faster. And if you’re intermediate or advanced, they will fill in the gaps, reframe what you already know, and help push your playing to a deeper level.
Q: Do I need to read music?
A: Lessons often use notation, scale numbers, and chord symbols, but you don’t need to be an advanced reader. A basic familiarity with major and minor scales, chords, and simple notation is enough to get started.
Q: I’m not a jazz musician. Will I still benefit?
A: Absolutely. The ability to hear, understand, and use the language of music isn’t limited to jazz. Whether you play classical, rock, folk, or any other style, the skills you’ll build in Jazzadvice PRO will make you a better musician.
Q: Which course should I start with?
A: You can begin with any of the 5 PRO Courses — they’re designed to complement each other. If you’re unsure, start with the area where you feel weakest, or follow our suggested sequence on the site for a clear roadmap.
Q: What is Premium Legacy?
A: Premium Legacy, briefly called PRO Basic, is our retired lesson-library membership for longtime members. It includes access to PRO Lessons, but does not include access to PRO Courses. Premium Legacy is no longer available for new members.
Q: If I already purchased a Course or have a Premium Legacy membership, do I get a discount or credit toward Jazzadvice PRO?
A: Previous Course purchases and legacy memberships remain in your account, but they do not automatically transfer as credit toward Jazzadvice PRO. If you have a specific question about your account, contact us and we’ll be happy to take a look.
Q: Is there a money-back guarantee or refund if I don’t like it?
A: No. We don’t offer refunds. Our lessons and courses are the result of years of work and require consistent effort. If you’re committed to improving and practicing, you’ll get enormous value from your purchase.
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A: No. Access is licensed to the one person who purchases it. Sharing or redistributing any content is not allowed and will result in revoked access without refund.
Q: I’m a teacher. Can I use PRO content or Course content in the classroom?
A: No. PRO memberships, Courses, and PRO Lessons (formerly Premium Lessons) are licensed for one user only. Please respect our copyrights and direct your students to purchase their own access.
Q: What instruments is Jazzadvice PRO for?
A: All instruments. Lessons and courses are designed to apply universally, because every musician needs these skills.
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If you have any questions we’re more than happy to answer them.