Last summer, I sat in at a jam session, armed with years of classical training and a misplaced confidence in my ability to “wing it” over Autumn Leaves. Halfway through my solo, the bassist leaned over and whispered, “Bro, are you… counting?”
Spoiler: I was.
Jazz humbled me. So I did what any desperate pianist would do: I Googled “how to jazz.” That’s how I found Open Studio Jazz—an online platform co-founded by bass legend Christian McBride promising to turn “noobs into bebop beasts.”
I signed up, practiced religiously, and returned to the same jam session six months later. The bassist’s reaction this time? “Damn, you’ve been eating your Wheaties.”
Let’s dissect whether Open Studio Jazz is the real deal or just another online course selling jazz fairy dust.
1. What Is Open Studio Jazz? (Besides Christian McBride’s Side Hustle)
Imagine if a jazz conservatory, Netflix, and Reddit had a baby. That’s Open Studio.
- The Brains: Courses by McBride, pianist Peter Martin, and saxophonist Chris Potter—musicians who’ve played with everyone from Herbie Hancock to… checks notes… actual presidents.
- The Breadth: 500+ lessons on improv, harmony, transcription, and even niche topics like “How to Survive a Tour Bus Without Losing Your Mind.”
- The Bling: Interactive play-alongs, live Q&As, and a community forum where users dissect Coltrane solos like the Zapruder film.
2. The Good: Why This Isn’t Just “YouTube for Jazz Nerds”
A. Teaching That Doesn’t Put You to Sleep
Peter Martin’s piano courses are the anti-lecture. Dude explains harmonic minor scales like he’s hyping up a UFC fight: “This scale is your KNIFE in a dark alley, people!”
- Standout Features:
- Loopable Play-Alongs: Slow down Blue Bossa to 50% speed without it sounding like a dying tape deck.
- MIDI Visualization: See exactly which notes McBride plays in real time. Spoiler: They’re not the ones I’d choose.
- Community Challenges: Weekly improv contests where strangers roast your licks (constructively… mostly).
B. The “Jazz Tree” Method
Open Studio doesn’t throw you into Giant Steps on day one. Their learning path unfolds like a jazz saga:
- Roots: Nail basics—swing feel, shell voicings, “what the hell is a ii-V-I?”
- Branches: Dive into genre deep cuts (Latin, blues, fusion).
- Fruit: Transcribe Oscar Peterson solos without crying.
C. Vibe > Perfection
The instructors stress feel over flash. McBride’s mantra: “If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not telling the truth.” Refreshing, given how many online courses peddle robotic perfection.
3. The Bad: Where Open Studio Hits a Bum Note
A. The Price of Admission
- Monthly: $29.99 (a nice dinner).
- Yearly: $249 (a used keyboard).
Ouch Factor: Steep for hobbyists. But compared to in-person lessons ($75+/hour), it’s a steal.
B. Overwhelm Alert
With 500+ lessons, I spent more time choosing what to learn than actually learning. The “Jazz Tree” helps, but decision fatigue is real.
C. No Magic Bullet
You still have to practice. Shocking, I know. Open Studio won’t turn you into Chick Corea while you binge The Bear.
4. The Ugly Truth About Online Jazz Education
Let’s address the elephant in the practice room: Can you really learn jazz online?
- Yes, but…
You miss the human spark—the raised eyebrow when you flub a chord, the unplanned duets, the post-jam beers. Open Studio’s forum tries to compensate, but typing “🔥 solo!” isn’t the same as a fist bump. - The Competition:
- YouTube: Free, but chaotic. One minute you’re learning Misty, the next you’re watching a raccoon open a soda.
- In-Person Lessons: Pricier, but tailored. My local teacher once told me, “Your left hand sounds like a washing machine.” Open Studio would never.
5. Who Should Enroll?
- ✅ Jazz Newbies: If you know C major but not changes, this is your dojo.
- ✅ Classical Refugees: Perfect for escaping sheet music jail.
- ✅ Gigging Musicians: Master reharmonization before your next wedding gig.
- ❌ Advanced Players: You might crave deeper 1:1 mentorship.
- ❌ Casual Dabblers: If “jazz” means La La Land soundtracks, stick with YouTube.
My Verdict: Is Open Studio Jazz Worth It?
After six months, I can:
- Improvise over All the Things You Are without hyperventilating.
- Recognize a tritone substitution (and why it’s not a dental procedure).
- Finally get why Miles Davis glared at people.
But here’s the real test: I’ve stopped counting during solos.
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