Best piano teachers for Jazz: Top 1-on-1 Jazz piano teachers, costs & how to choose

Jazz piano mixes classical skills with freedom to improvise. In jazz, you need to learn both theory and feeling to make music that’s unique in the moment.

Unlike classical training, which often focuses on the literal interpretation of a score, jazz piano is a “living” language. It requires you to understand the architecture of music so you can deconstruct and rebuild it in real-time.

It also focuses on hand independence, left-hand voicing, right-hand melody, and jazz chord extensions. You learn how to phrase with rhythm and dynamics to express emotions.

Jazz piano lessons help you improve your ear for harmony, build a library of jazz songs, and boost your improvisation skills. You also deepen your understanding of music theory as it applies to jazz.

From the “comping” (accompanying) styles of Red Garland to the virtuosic runs of Oscar Peterson, specialized jazz piano training helps you navigate the keyboard with freedom and soul.

Discover the best jazz piano teachers, how jazz piano lessons actually work, how to find your perfect teacher, and what lessons cost – all in one comprehensive guide.

5 best piano teachers for jazz

• Daisy Li holds a Master’s degree from NYU
• Stephen Babin with a Diploma in Music Performance from the Royal Conservatory
• Bardiya Jahandideh Shekalgurabi with a Diploma in Music from Bodwell High School
• Eric Zhang with a Bachelor’s degree from the Los Angeles College of Music
• Aaron Booker with 10+ years of experience

Top-rated jazz piano teachers

Wiingy has built a strong network of 350+ expert piano teachers, each carefully vetted for skill and teaching experience.

The platform makes it easy to find skilled jazz piano teachers – available for online or in-person lessons worldwide.

Whether you’re a complete beginner discovering jazz piano or an advanced player perfecting your improvisational technique, Wiingy has a piano teacher for every level and jazz style.

Here are five top-rated jazz piano teachers at Wiingy:

1. Daisy Li – Jazz piano teacher with a Master’s degree in Music from NYU

Daisy Li helps students dive deep into music. She identifies challenges and works with students to improve. 88% of students value her patience and encouragement.

Experience

• Teaching Experience: 8+ years
• Professional Background: Daisy holds a Master’s degree in Music
• Rating: 4.9/5

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Pricing

• Hourly Rate: $36/hr
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available.

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Specialties

• Grand Piano
• Upright Piano
• Digital Piano
• Classical Piano
• Electric Keyboard

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Age & Skill Suitability

• Age Groups: All ages
• Skill Levels: Beginners to advanced players

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Teaching Style

• Approach: Daisy’s piano lessons are highly interactive. She uses tools like chord & scale apps, metronomes, and virtual piano apps to enhance learning.

2. Stephen Babin– Jazz piano teacher with a Diploma in Music Performance from the Royal Conservatory

Stephen Babin creates an interactive and motivating learning environment where students can explore their musical potential across classical, jazz, and modern styles. 91% students stay engaged and excited about practicing.

Experience:

• Teaching Experience: 4+ years
• Professional Background: Diploma in Music Performance (Royal Conservatory graduate)
• Rating: 4.8/5

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Pricing:

• Hourly Rate: $33/hr
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available

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Specialties:

• Jazz Piano
• Classical Piano
• Digital Piano
• Grand Piano

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Age & Skill Suitability:

• Age Groups: Kids to adults
• Skill Levels: Beginners to intermediate

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Teaching Style

• Approach: Stephen uses tools like PDF Sheet Music Libraries, Ear Training Software, Backing Track Libraries, DAWs, and Metronome Apps to enhance learning.

3. Bardiya Jahandideh Shekalgurabi – Jazz piano teacher with a Diploma in Music from Bodwell High School

Bardiya Jahandideh Shekalgurabi creates a fun and engaging learning environment with strong technical foundations, making lessons immersive and effective for kids and beginners alike.

Experience:

• Teaching Experience: 2+ years
• Professional Background: Diploma in Music from Bodwell High School
• Rating: 4.9/5

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Pricing:

• Hourly Rate: $35/hr
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available

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Specialties:

• Jazz Piano
• Classical Piano
• Grand Piano
• Upright Piano

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Age & Skill Suitability:

• Age Groups: Kids to adults (including homeschooled and ADHD learners)
• Skill Levels: Beginners to intermediate

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Teaching Style

• Approach: Bardiya leverages tech tools like DAWs, Metronome Apps, Virtual Piano Apps, Chord & Scale Reference Apps, and Backing Track Libraries to create interactive online lessons.

4. Eric Zhang – Jazz piano teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Production from the Los Angeles College of Music

Eric Zhang brings real-world studio and stage experience into every lesson. Having collaborated with Grammy-winning songwriters, producers, and engineers, Eric teaches students not just how to play – but how to understand the “why” behind the music.

Experience:

• Teaching Experience: 5+ years
• Professional Background: Bachelor’s degree in Music Production from the Los Angeles College of Music
• Rating: 4.8/5

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Pricing:

• Hourly Rate: $34/hr
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available

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Specialties:

• Grand Piano
• Player Piano
• Digital Piano
• Upright Piano
• Jazz Piano
• Classical Piano
• Electric Keyboard
• Acoustic Piano

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Age & Skill Suitability:

• Age Groups: School students to adult professionals and college students
• Skill Levels: All levels

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Teaching Style

• Approach: Eric uses Chord & Scale Reference Apps, Metronome Apps, and DAWs to create interactive, production-informed lessons. Eric’s goal is to inspire creativity, foster musical growth, and help every student find their own voice through music.

5. Aaron Booker – Jazz piano teacher with 10+ years of experience

Aaron Booker is refreshingly practical. Rather than leading with theory, he gets students making real music from day one, finding that confidence and joy at the keys naturally opens the door to deeper technical understanding.

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Experience:

• Teaching Experience: 10+ years
• Professional Background: Bachelor’s degree from the Art Institute
• Rating: 4.8/5

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Pricing:

• Hourly Rate: $34/hr
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available

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Specialties:

• Jazz Piano
• Gospel Piano
• Improvisation
• Performance Skills

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Age & Skill Suitability:

• Age Groups: Kids to adults
• Skill Levels: Beginners

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Teaching Style

• Approach: Aaron uses Virtual Piano Apps and DAWs to create interactive, engaging lessons. His student-centered approach prioritizes making music first and building technical vocabulary naturally from there.

Inside a 1-on-1 jazz piano lesson: 2 real student stories

Wondering what progress really looks like? These stories show how the right jazz piano teacher can unlock your technique and your improvisational confidence.

– “From timing struggles to steady rhythm” – Taylor’s piano rhythm transformation

Taylor struggled with rhythm inconsistencies, especially in upbeat pieces like “Dino, My Pet Dinosaur.” With Bardiya’s guidance, she learned to use a metronome effectively, isolate difficult measures, and strengthen her fingers with scale routines.

Practicing singing along with familiar tunes like “Old MacDonald” boosted her timing and musical confidence.

What you’ll learn: Improving rhythm using a metronome, Isolating tricky bars for faster mastery, Strengthening fingers with scales and arpeggios, Singing with piano to lock in timing.

– “From awkward left-hand chords to confident coordination” – Emily’s piano breakthrough

Emily, a dedicated professional with a packed schedule, found left-hand chord transitions frustrating and often lost rhythm. With Stephan’s help, she focused on muscle memory, smart fingering, and interpreting musical structure.

Despite limited time, short and targeted practice sessions helped her play with more ease and confidence.

What you’ll learn: Building left-hand coordination through repetition, Mastering tricky transitions with deliberate fingering, Using short focused practice to progress even with a busy schedule.

Jazz piano lesson costs

Jazz piano lessons can vary in cost based on experience, format, and goals. Here’s a breakdown to help you budget smartly – no matter where you’re starting from.

Option	Price Range	Format	Best For
Budget-friendly jazz piano teachers from Wiingy	$15-$40/hr	Online	Beginners, casual jazz enthusiasts
Mid-level jazz piano teachers	$50-$150/hr	In-person or online	Intermediate players, music school prep
High-end jazz piano teachers	$15-$300+/hr	In-person or online	Professional performers, conservatory audition prep

Looking for an experienced yet affordable jazz piano teacher?

Wiingy offers a free trial lesson, no long-term contracts, and flexible scheduling – all while providing access to affordable tutors starting at just $15/hr, making high-quality jazz piano training more accessible than ever.

Online vs in-person Jazz piano teachers

Both online and in-person jazz piano coaching have their perks. Here’s a quick comparison:

Format	Pros	Cons
Online	Flexible, affordable, lessons from home, wider teacher selection	No physical presence, requires stable internet
In-person	Studio setup with piano, real-time hand/posture adjustments, great for live performance prep	Less scheduling flexibility, typically higher cost

Whether you’re practicing voicings at home or comping in a studio, you’ll find jazz piano teaching tailored to your needs.

Why work with a Jazz piano teacher

Jazz piano has produced some of the most technically and artistically accomplished musicians in history – artists like Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, and contemporary masters like Brad Mehldau and Hiromi, who all trained extensively to master jazz piano’s unique demands.

Whether you’re preparing to perform at local jazz venues, developing your improvisational skills, auditioning for music schools, or simply mastering the harmonic language that makes jazz piano so sophisticated and expressive, working with a specialized teacher can give you the edge you need.

Here’s how personalized jazz piano coaching can support your journey:

• Specialized jazz technique training designed to help you master the unique characteristics of jazz piano – including comping patterns, chord voicings, left-hand independence, stride piano, and the art of soloing over chord changes.
• Real-time feedback to refine your interpretation of standards, improve your improvisation skills, develop your sense of swing and groove, and understand the harmonic complexity that makes jazz distinctive.
• Confidence-building in a supportive space, ideal for developing the courage to improvise freely, the stage presence to perform, and the musical intuition to interact with bandmates in real time.
• Music theory and ear training specific to jazz – learning chord extensions (7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths), understanding ii-V-I progressions, developing the ability to hear and play complex harmonies, and mastering jazz reharmonization.
• Flexible scheduling that fits your lifestyle, whether you’re balancing school, work, band rehearsals, or jam sessions alongside your piano practice.
• Historical and cultural context from teachers who understand jazz’s rich tradition, the great pianists who shaped the art form, and how to honor that legacy while developing your own unique voice at the piano.

How to choose the right Jazz piano teacher

Choosing the right jazz piano teacher is essential to unlocking your full musical potential and achieving your jazz aspirations. Here’s what to consider to make an informed decision based on your needs and goals:

• Experience with your level: Whether you’re preparing for auditions at prestigious music schools (Berklee, Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard) or perfecting standards for local jazz club performances, choose a teacher who can guide you at the pace and skill level you need.
• Style match: Jazz piano spans from stride and bebop to post-bop, modal jazz, and contemporary jazz. Whether you want to master Bill Evans’ lyrical style, Oscar Peterson’s virtuosity, or a more modern approach, find a teacher who can guide you in the tradition you love most.
• Lesson format: Whether you prefer in-person jazz piano lessons at a studio or online sessions with global jazz specialists, choose a teacher who fits your schedule and maintains high-quality instruction.
• Flexibility: Jazz piano training demands dedication, with practice sessions, theory study, listening assignments, and performance opportunities all competing for your time. Choose a teacher who offers trial lessons and has the flexibility to adjust to your evolving goals and busy lifestyle.

Pro tip: Wiingy jazz piano teachers are expert-vetted, offer free trials, and specialize across jazz styles and skill levels. Connect with a teacher now.

How to get started with a Jazz piano teacher on Wiingy

Ready to take the leap? Getting started with a jazz piano teacher is easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps:

• Browse jazz piano teachers on Wiingy
• Book a free trial lesson
• Start playing with someone who understands your jazz goals

Interested in learning more than just jazz piano?

Jazz piano training is just one part of your musical story. Many Wiingy students explore additional skills to strengthen their musicianship, boost creativity, or prepare for performances.

Why learn multiple skills for Jazz?

• Voice and Ear Training are foundational for jazz improvisation – helping you develop your inner ear, sing chord tones, and internalize the sound of progressions before playing them.
• Guitar offers a complementary perspective on jazz harmony, helping you understand chord shapes and rhythm comping from a different angle – great for writing arrangements or collaborating with guitarists.
• Music Theory and Composition allow you to create your own jazz charts, write original pieces, and arrange standards in your own unique style – skills that set serious jazz musicians apart.
• Drums and Rhythm Training give you a deeper feel for swing, groove, and time – helping you lock in with a rhythm section and develop the rhythmic confidence that makes jazz performance come alive.

With Wiingy, you can explore vocals, guitar, music theory, composition, and more – all with expert 1-on-1 tutors who tailor lessons to your jazz aspirations. Why stop at just piano when you can become a complete jazz musician?

Conclusion

Jazz piano is more than music – it’s a conversation, a language of emotion and spontaneity that celebrates both technical mastery and creative freedom.

Whether you’re just starting your jazz piano journey or working to level up your improvisational skills, working with the right jazz piano teacher can help unlock your potential.

Ready to find yours?

Start learning today with top-rated jazz piano teachers on Wiingy, the go-to platform for flexible, personalized jazz piano lessons worldwide.

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