I love the piano, but I've rarely felt permission be vulnerable in my jazz skills development process. I studied classical for 9 years and began studying jazz and playing piano in a jazz ensemble twice a week in an ARTS High School along with theory classes twice a week. I went to one of the best music schools in the world majoring in jazz/commercial piano studies and the entire process was painful, like navigating chaos in frozen mud. The Open Studio Podcast/You'll Hear It Podcast allowed me into conversations I was not privy to/was afraid to join because I never quite knew my skill level, but I definitely understand it's not good enough for me to ever sit in on a jam session or take requests. So this is another "healing" story. I'm within the 14 free days trial and can't quite afford to join YET... But I'm enjoying exploring the courses. Heck, I pray for the grace to be a beginner and chose the beginners video and for the first time learned why the difference between piano lengths made a difference in tone and the difference between grand pianos and upright pianos. See what I mean? Things are straightening out without legacy, race or status getting in the way (another story). With music school my experience was you had to already be a genius in order to get the proper attention needed (I actually witnessed that over and over). Now maybe I can get some organized structure and see real results from practice, not just grandstanding because I collected a few complicated chords but not know what to do with them. I hope this made sense. Open Studio seems to be doing things positively and very well. ~ Geocosmic Valentine