Online Jazz Piano Lessons with Jon Snell
Structured Jazz Piano Instruction for Long-Term Musical Growth
Whether you are transitioning from classical piano, preparing for auditions, pursuing professional goals, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of jazz, these lessons are designed to help you make consistent, measurable progress.
The focus is not on shortcuts or quick fixes, but on building the skills, habits, and understanding necessary for long-term musical growth.
Experience & Background
Jon has taught jazz piano online to students throughout the United States and internationally for more than a decade.
His institutional experience includes serving on the Jazz Piano Faculty of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division (2018–2025), where he taught private lessons, small ensembles, and courses in Jazz Theory, Jazz Ear Training, and Jazz Keyboard Harmony. He also worked as a Teaching Artist for the Manhattan School of Music Distance Learning Program (2016–2020).
Are these lessons Right for You?
These lessons are designed for students who are interested in developing fluency in jazz over time through consistent, structured work.
The lessons are typically a good fit for students who are:
- transitioning from classical piano and want a clearer approach to improvisation and jazz language
- preparing for auditions or music school applications and need structured guidance and feedback
- adult learners returning to music who want a focused, organized way to study jazz and improvisation
- developing jazz pianists looking to refine time feel, harmony, and improvisational clarity
“In one lesson, Jon gave my son more encouragement than he’s received cumulatively [from his previous teachers] over the past 7 years. Literally.”
— Benjamin P., New York
“There was something about the cross between theory and application that never sat right in my classical, note-oriented, sheet-music-reading brain. I needed somebody with a rounded understanding of both fields to help bridge that gap, and Mr. Snell was exactly the person I was looking for.”
— Samuel K., Virginia
“Jon is extremely organized. The assignments he creates are incredibly detailed and focused; he does an amazing job of pinpointing the areas I need to work on now while still pushing me to stretch for the next level.”
— Mike B., Iowa
Teaching Approach
The core principle is simple: consistent, focused work over time produces meaningful musical growth.
Lessons are conducted weekly—online via Zoom—and tailored to each student’s level, goals, and experience. Students receive clear instruction, direct feedback, and structured weekly assignments within the lesson.
These assignments develop:
- Harmonic understanding and voice leading
- Jazz voicings and comping
- Rhythmic control and time feel
- Improvisational fluency
- Listening and transcription skills
The goal is not simply to improve during lessons, but to build the ability to continue improving independently between them.
Please note: The lessons are structured and goal-oriented. They are not designed as casual drop-in lessons, but as an ongoing process of development where each week builds on the previous one.
Student Outcomes
Examples of past student outcomes have included acceptance to programs such as the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Jazz Arts Program, Eastman School of Music, Berklee College of Music, NYU, USC, and others.
In other individual cases, students have received recognition through the DownBeat Student Music Awards and have performed in settings ranging from local jam sessions to venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
Many students pursue music professionally, while others study purely for personal fulfillment. The common factor is a commitment to steady, consistent improvement.
“Jon provides a combination of methodical and fun assignments, with emphasis placed on the methodical side.”
— Jarrett P., Illinois
“From an extensive knowledge about music and the piano, Jon has taught our kids about music theory in such a thorough way that they always end up eager to learn more.”
— Elizabeth G., New York
“My two sons have studied jazz piano with Jon for the past four years, entirely online. While I was initially skeptical about virtual lessons, it quickly became clear that this format gave us access to an exceptional teacher whom we otherwise would not have had the opportunity to study with. As a result, my sons have grown tremendously as musicians, and we are very grateful for his mentorship.”
— Min K., Connecticut
Interested in Lessons?
If you’re interested in lessons, please share a bit about your background below. This helps determine fit and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to live in New York City?
No. All lessons are conducted online, and students have studied from around the world.
Can classical pianists learn jazz?
Absolutely. Many students come from classical backgrounds and often find that their existing technical foundation transfers well to jazz study.
What do I need for lessons?
- A piano or keyboard
- A reliable internet connection
- A webcam and microphone
- Zoom
- Email access
Jon Snell 