Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Discover why harmony isn't a single set of universal rules. In this lesson, Alberto Ferro explores the key differences between classical harmony and jazz harmony, explaining why so much confusion exists when musicians move between these two musical worlds.
Many pianists are taught that harmony follows one fixed system, but the reality is far more interesting. The "rules" of harmony were developed within specific historical periods and musical styles. What is considered correct in classical music may not apply in jazz, and vice versa. Rather than contradicting one another, these approaches simply reflect the musical language and artistic goals of different music genres and music styles.
If you're a classical pianist beginning to learn jazz piano—or a jazz pianist curious about classical harmony—this lesson will help you understand where these differences come from and why they both make perfect sense within their own musical contexts.
By understanding harmony as a style-specific language instead of a universal rulebook, you'll develop a deeper appreciation of music theory and become a more flexible, informed musician.
👇 If you would like to learn how to play suspended chords on piano, watch this tutorial by Alberto Ferro next:
youtube.com/watch?v=k6KxtrMbWtM&list=PLDqNslPG6e1IbTdTGk5XsSC3v8_F9kdD1&index=118
🎁 Claim your FREE gift - Resources Pack - by getting in touch with us at London Contemporary School of Piano so that we can help you solve your challenges and accelerate you progress at the piano:
contemporaryschoolofpiano.com
🎹 Learn Piano with Alberto Ferro:
contemporaryschoolofpiano.com/coaches/alberto-ferro
🎓 Get Your GROOVE Everyday Course to access all the resources you need to master piano grooves and expand your piano groove vocabulary:
lcsp.samcart.com/products/groove-mastery-everyday
🎓 Join our Flagship Course, THE COMPLETE MUSICIAN: Piano Essentials Online Course with Tom Donald:
contemporaryschoolofpiano.com/the-complete-musician
🔔 If you enjoyed this music harmony lesson on understanding harmony in classical music and jazz and would like to get more top tips on learning piano, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel right here:
youtube.com/channel/UCZWqaBf6VLuD0cSKF4cukPg?sub_confirmation=1
Follow ALBERTO L. FERRO:
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCSwjhqixWMo4Fs-qwQM9BPA
Website: www.albertoferro.com
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2hBpLXGCZigUh0wForJFiU
Apple: music.apple.com/us/artist/alberto-l-ferro/1343214556
Instagram: instagram.com/alberto.l.ferro
Credits:
Filmed by Josh Adams.
Edited by BUBI Productions & Caleb Hartley.
youtu.be/pzqR5traU9c
#londoncontemporaryschoolofpiano #harmony #pianotutorial
Discover why harmony isn't a single set of universal rules. In this lesson, Alberto Ferro explores the key differences between classical harmony and jazz harmony, explaining why so much confusion exists when musicians move between these two musical worlds.
Many pianists are taught that harmony follows one fixed system, but the reality is far more interesting. The "rules" of harmony were developed within specific historical periods and musical styles. What is considered correct in classical music may not apply in jazz, and vice versa. Rather than contradicting one another, these approaches simply reflect the musical language and artistic goals of different music genres and music styles.
If you're a classical pianist beginning to learn jazz piano—or a jazz pianist curious about classical harmony—this lesson will help you understand where these differences come from and why they both make perfect sense within their own musical contexts.
By understanding harmony as a style-specific language instead of a universal rulebook, you'll develop a deeper appreciation of music theory and become a more flexible, informed musician.
👇 If you would like to learn how to play suspended chords on piano, watch this tutorial by Alberto Ferro next:
youtube.com/watch?v=k6KxtrMbWtM&list=PLDqNslPG6e1IbTdTGk5XsSC3v8_F9kdD1&index=118
🎁 Claim your FREE gift - Resources Pack - by getting in touch with us at London Contemporary School of Piano so that we can help you solve your challenges and accelerate you progress at the piano:
contemporaryschoolofpiano.com
🎹 Learn Piano with Alberto Ferro:
contemporaryschoolofpiano.com/coaches/alberto-ferro
🎓 Get Your GROOVE Everyday Course to access all the resources you need to master piano grooves and expand your piano groove vocabulary:
lcsp.samcart.com/products/groove-mastery-everyday
🎓 Join our Flagship Course, THE COMPLETE MUSICIAN: Piano Essentials Online Course with Tom Donald:
contemporaryschoolofpiano.com/the-complete-musician
🔔 If you enjoyed this music harmony lesson on understanding harmony in classical music and jazz and would like to get more top tips on learning piano, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel right here:
youtube.com/channel/UCZWqaBf6VLuD0cSKF4cukPg?sub_confirmation=1
Follow ALBERTO L. FERRO:
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCSwjhqixWMo4Fs-qwQM9BPA
Website: www.albertoferro.com
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2hBpLXGCZigUh0wForJFiU
Apple: music.apple.com/us/artist/alberto-l-ferro/1343214556
Instagram: instagram.com/alberto.l.ferro
Credits:
Filmed by Josh Adams.
Edited by BUBI Productions & Caleb Hartley.
youtu.be/pzqR5traU9c
#londoncontemporaryschoolofpiano #harmony #pianotutorial
