As a Classically trained pianist from a young age, the author shares an incredibly personal story of diving head first into Jazz piano as a 21 year old Classical piano major in college. After only one semester into the program, he turned to Jazz and never looked back. The University at the time was Classical-focused and did not have an established Jazz program, which would be set in place a few years after graduating. After much intensive and rigorous self-study over the course of his 4 years while attending, the majority of the guide was wrtiten at the end of his time at the University in the fall of 2012, which tunred into his undergraduate thesis.

The book discusses and addresses a wide range of topics; Including a compelling read about his first experiences in Jazz and why he made the swtich, why there was (and still is) a lack of good Jazz education/pedagoy, fallacies and misconceptions of improvisation from a Classical perspective, the Jazz Language, why you can't learn Jazz in a Classical way, the enigma and mysteries of practicing Jazz improvisation and how to address them, how to find key links from Classical training that can apply to Jazz playing, a listening guide, being your own teacher, a list of the best books on the market to help aid your study and a detailed list of 10 first steps to take to help aid the transition, among others.

Highland offers a pethora of invaluable insight, advice and guidance to others with similar backgrounds who wish to get into the world of Jazz and imprvisation, as he went about it "The hard way." The main aim is to give clarity, direction and focus while saving the reader years of immense frustration, confusion and wasted time which he experienced. Since being completed in 2012 and published in 2023, there have been a few recent edits, giving a more well rounded total of all the knowledge and experience gained over the course of his 15+ years experiene with Jazz piano. However, the majority of the writing and material has largely been left unchanged since it's completion, to preserve the experience and perspective more closely related to his transition period and first few years experience.

Justin Highland is an active pianist, composer and educator who resides in Los Angeles, California.