Your Jazz Mentorship Starts Here
Cut through the clutter, develop your ears, your sound, and your confidence
If you’ve been studying jazz but still feel…
❗️You’re practicing regularly, but you don’t sound much more like a jazz musician.
❗️Overwhelmed by the endless stream of scales, licks, videos, courses, and conflicting advice.
❗️You have real potential, but no clear idea what deserves your limited practice time.
❗️Stuck in a routine that may be keeping you busy, but not helping you improve.
❗️You have specific questions about your playing, but no trusted mentor who can help you find the next right step.
❗️Afraid to call a tune, take a solo, or sit in because you don’t yet trust yourself to keep up.
❗️You know a lot but you can't actually hear and use when it’s time to play.
The truth is, lasting progress in jazz does not come from trying to learn everything.
True growth comes from returning to a few essential skills again and again, until you can hear them, feel them, and use them freely. Build a strong foundation, and you can keep growing for the rest of your musical life.
If you want to feel confident enough to play at that jam session, jam with your friends, or go out and get gigs, the Jazz Intensive will get you there.
I'm Nick Mainella, a professional jazz saxophonist and educator. I have my Master's Degree in Jazz Performance and have been playing and teaching this music for many years.
Over those years, I have seen many students achieve their most ambitious goals by directing their energy toward . I created the Jazz Intensive to help students block out the tremendous amount of noise in jazz education these days and focus on the few, simple concepts that, if studied deeply enough, will unlock unlimited potential in your playing.
The Key Methods I Use With My Students In The Jazz Intensive:
Listen. Sing. Play: Build melodic vocabulary through an engaging, ear-first process. Learn to speak jazz like the living language it is. Your instrument becomes an extension of your ear, and playing what you hear becomes natural. Develop a sixth sense of what to play instead of being lost in the math and the 'correct' notes to play at the 'correct time.' The best part: Anyone can have great ears. This is not reserved for the 'talented.' With dedication and consistency, you'll be hearing music with profound clarity and ease.
Core Jazz Structures: Master the essential scales, arpeggios, and melodic shapes of jazz; then learn to reshape, connect, and use them freely. The vast majority of everything your favorite musicians play are their own, personal interpretations of basic musical structures. Learn those structures deeply enough to hear them in real music, use them in the moment, and create solos that sound like you.
Personalized Feedback: Every jazz student is individual and needs different things. Without a more experienced ear guiding you forward, you can waste years or even decades spinning your wheels. Mentorship is the cornerstone of jazz education and is the thing that will get you unstuck and making progress again.
We've Already Helped Hundreds Of Students Make These Breakthrough's:
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JAZZ INTENSIVE FAQ'S:
Do I get 1:1 instruction?
Yes! Personalized feedback is the biggest lever we can pull to improve your playing. Every student is individual and you and I will meet regularly to ensure that you are working on the material that will help YOU make massive improvements. This is different for every student so our 1:1 time is important.
How much does this cost?
We have options for every situation and I'll give you all of that information when we speak. Firstly, we need to decide whether this is the right fit for both parties. But be prepared to invest in your education at the level it would cost for any quality teacher's time and care.
Is this a long term commitment?
The commitment is designed to be flexible for what you need. Some students stay with me for multiple months and some for multiple years. It allows me to work with you in a deep way and get to know how you learn. What I don't do, however, is work with students on a one-off basis at this time. It's doesn't make sense for the teacher or the student to actually get the results you are looking for.
What age range, skill level, and instruments are the Jazz Intensive for?
We accept students on any instrument. Our material is appropriate for anyone who wants to engage in playing jazz and improvising. We also accept all age ranges and skill levels. The only requirement is that you have a desire to get better and are willing to put in the effort to develop new skills.
Will you give me materials to practice with?
Yes. I have, over the years, developed a plethora of specialized material addressing many of the most common issues that jazz students need to study. You will have access to the entire library with the advantage of me and my other instructors helping you decide EXACTLY what to work on in your situation.