The thing most jazz harmony students of mine can’t believe is that I recommend practising in silence! The most important jazz harmony lesson I could ever give you is to tell you to develop your harmonic understanding by thinking, not playing. What do I mean?
The brain is your instrument when it comes to jazz harmony – your musical instrument is merely a tool, an amplifier that is used to amplify the ideas you have in your head. Why try and improve your music theory and jazz harmony understanding whilst having the complexities of having an instrument in your hands?
When I’m walking to the shops, sitting on a train, taking a shower (!) I think about things. This is the best way to improve your jazz harmony and one of the most important lessons I can give you – hear the sounds, imagine them working and when you pick up your instrument, you will be shocked at how far you’ve come!