Jazz Theory Explained

“Jazz Theory Explained®” presents a structured exploration of traditional jazz theory concepts as taught in music schools and conservatories. Instructor Eli Krantzberg guides beginners through the essential harmonic and melodic foundations needed to understand and perform jazz music. The course begins with core jazz theory principles, including how jazz chords and chord progressions are constructed and the fundamentals of chord voicing. From there, you’ll examine practical voicing systems and how to apply them in musical settings alongside bass and drums. As the lessons progress, the focus shifts to melodic development and improvisation strategies over standard chord progressions. Topics include scale choices, motivic development, modes, licks, and chord substitutions. The series concludes with a collaborative musical example featuring jazz guitarist Doug Zangar, demonstrating the concepts in action. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of jazz harmony, voicing approaches, and improvisational tools applicable to real-world playing situations.