Alle afleveringen
571 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Best Exercise for Becoming a More Melodic Player
9 februari 2024 · 12 min
Brent is wrapping up the week on the podcast with a Fast Track Friday episode, reflecting on the fascinating discussions from the week. Topics ranged from bebop scales to the role of music theory in the journey of jazz greats. However, he identifies a potential pitfall: the "patternistic" and linear approach often associated with theory and scales. Lees meer
In response, Brent introduces a powerful exercise aimed at enhancing your melodic prowess. The focus shifts to allowing your ear and intuition to guide your improvisation, fostering a melodic approach over a theoretical one.
Learn through practical examples as he demonstrates the beauty of creating tension, resolution, and evolving melodies without the shackles of predetermined constructs.
The exercise promotes a more organic, responsive, and melodic style of playing that aligns with the essence of jazz.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Did the Jazz Greats Use Music Theory?
8 februari 2024 · 10 min
In this Learn Jazz Standards podcast episode, Brent addresses a question from Tim Sly about whether jazz greats from the early days thought about music theory. He emphasizes how early jazz evolved spontaneously and wasn't necessarily written down. Lees meer
Discover how jazz evolved without heavy reliance on theory, and why embracing both theory and ear training is crucial for a well-rounded musical journey.
Brent shares insights into the balance between learning by ear and understanding theory, creating a harmonious approach to jazz education.
Learn the role of theory in jazz while emphasizing the importance of improvisation and the rich heritage of this extraordinary musical genre.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How Much Do I Need to Practice to Get Great At Jazz?
7 februari 2024 · 10 min
In this episode, Brent answers a question from Kevin, an Inner Circle member. This time, the spotlight is on a dilemma many players face: how much should you practice, and when does the time come to ease up? Lees meer
Brent shares insights into the effectiveness of consistent, strategic, and enjoyable practice, emphasizing quality over quantity. Is it about practicing for hours on end, or can efficient and focused sessions get you where you want to be?
Discover the keys to mastering the art of practicing from the best jazz musicians and how it contributes to their proficiency. Whether you're starting your jazz journey or navigating the path to becoming a pro, this episode promises valuable insights to make your practice time truly count.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How Do I Analyze Chord Changes And Construct Solos?
6 februari 2024 · 10 min
In this podcast episode, Brent answers a question from Ed from St. Louis on how to construct killer solos when the breaks are short and snappy. Lees meer
Whether facing a 12-bar blues or navigating complex jazz standards, Brent discusses his principles that hold the key to unlocking improvisational prowess.
Listen as he provides examples and encourages experimentation. Learn about his perspective on the practical application of bebop scales in improvisation.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How to Use the Bebop Scales In Jazz
5 februari 2024 · 12 min
In this podcast episode, Brent breaks down the application of bebop scales in major, dominant, and minor chords, revealing the magic of chromatic passing tones. He emphasizes viewing the bebop scale as a tool to grasp chromaticism in jazz language rather than as rigid improvisational rules. Lees meer
Discover the art of improvisation and learn how bebop scales can elevate your jazz playing. Uncover practical insights and gain a fresh perspective on utilizing scales in your musical expression.
The goal is to deepen the understanding of the bebop scale's practical application in jazz playing.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How to Develop Your Own Sound
2 februari 2024 · 11 min
In this Fast Track Friday episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent discusses strategies for developing one's own sound in jazz improvisation. He emphasizes the importance of taking influence from a wide variety of jazz musicians, exploring other instruments, and diversifying musical influences outside of jazz. Lees meer
Brent suggests that learning solos from musicians who don't play the same instrument can provide fresh perspectives and ideas. Additionally, he encourages the practice of composition as a means of internalizing and expressing individual musical ideas.
Finally, Brent recommends experimenting with different approaches to the instrument, such as exploring various scales, fingerings, or tunings, to foster creativity and unique sounds.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How Do I Play More Creative Ideas in My Solos?
1 februari 2024 · 12 min
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent addresses Gary Cavallar's question on shifting focus from playing notes to creating more organic saxophone solos. Brent explores ways to enhance creativity and improvisation. He suggests analyzing habits and incorporating new tools to break repetitive patterns. Lees meer
Learning more jazz language, including licks and solos from musicians, is crucial for expanding musical ideas. Brent emphasizes the importance of composition, either composing full solos or individual choruses, to internalize and refine ideas.
Lastly, he advises self-analysis by recording and evaluating one's playing to identify strengths and areas for improvement, thus fostering a more creative and natural approach to improvisation.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How Jazz Pianists and Guitarists Should Play Together
31 januari 2024 · 12 min
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent addresses the age-old question of proper etiquette when two chording instruments, such as guitar and piano, play together in a jam session. Lees meer
He emphasizes the importance of serving the music and avoiding a chaotic clash of chords. Brent suggests various scenarios, such as taking turns comping or having one instrument play a more subtle role. Personal preference may lead to being the primary or secondary comper, but the key is always serving the music and respecting each musician's role.
The key is to prioritize musicality and ensure that everyone contributes to creating a cohesive and enjoyable musical experience.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How to Get Better At Swing Feel and Jazz Phrasing
30 januari 2024 · 11 min
In this podcast episode, Brent addresses a question from Roxanna, a classically trained pianist struggling with jazz rhythm and phrasing. Brent explains the essence of the swing feel in jazz, emphasizing the triplet-based rhythm. Lees meer
He advises starting with simple exercises, such as playing major scales with a swing feel. The discussion extends to jazz phrasing, highlighting the importance of learning by ear from great jazz musicians.
Brent encourages musicians, especially those from classical backgrounds, to internalize jazz phrasing and rhythm through this immersive process, making it an integral part of their practice routine.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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What's the Best Way to Play Chromatic Jazz Lines?
29 januari 2024 · 10 min
In this podcast episode, Brent addresses Jacqueline's question about chromatic passing tones and accents. He emphasizes the importance of understanding swing feel and how it influences accenting in jazz. Lees meer
Brent introduces two types of chromatic note and provides insights into accenting these notes, highlighting that accents often depend on individual musical intuition and can vary based on the context, the musician's style, and specific nuances in phrasing.
Brent encourages experimentation and learning from other musicians to develop a natural feel for accenting chromatic lines.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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3 Mindset Shifts to Improve At Jazz Faster
26 januari 2024 · 10 min
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent discusses three mindset shifts to improve at jazz faster. The first mindset shift is the "growth mindset," inspired by Carol Dweck's book "Mindset," emphasizing the view that failures are opportunities to grow and learn, rather than fixed definitions of ability. Lees meer
The second mindset shift is recognizing that "perfection is the enemy of progress." Brent encourages listeners not to obsess over perfection, but rather to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process, especially in improvisation.
The third mindset is "less is more," advising musicians to focus on fewer elements in their practice sessions, allowing for better retention and improvement. Brent emphasizes the concept of focusing on one jazz standard a month in the Learn Jazz Standards inner circle to illustrate the effectiveness of this mindset.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How Do I Recognize Secondary Dominants In Jazz?
25 januari 2024 · 10 min
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent answers a question from inner circle member Kevin Pritchett about recognizing and using secondary dominants in jazz standards. Lees meer
Brent explains the concept of secondary dominants and he illustrates the idea using a one, six, two, five chord progression in the key of C, emphasizing the importance of turning the six chord into a dominant seventh chord to tonicize the following two-chord. He highlights examples of secondary dominants in jazz compositions, such as rhythm changes and "But Not For Me."
He addresses Kevin's question on recognizing and applying secondary dominants by emphasizing the importance of analyzing jazz standards, learning new tunes, and understanding where secondary dominants naturally occur.
Brent concludes by discussing the application of tension and resolution in improvisation over secondary dominants, showcasing how jazz musicians enhance their lines with added complexity and interest.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How Do I Improvise Over Unrelated Chords?
24 januari 2024 · 11 min
In this podcast episode, Brent addresses a question from a listener named Lewis. Lewis is interested in transitioning smoothly between unrelated keys in jazz improvisation, specifically dealing with non-diatonic chord progressions. Lees meer
Brent emphasizes the importance of thinking about voice leading, even when faced with unrelated chords. He uses examples from jazz standards like "Beatrice" and "Well You Needn't" to illustrate the concept. Brent suggests focusing on resolving notes melodically and encourages listeners to experiment with various ways of connecting unrelated chords.
He also touches on the importance of instrument navigation, suggesting that musicians explore different registers and positions to enhance their ability to connect chords seamlessly.
The episode concludes with a reminder to practice creatively and address specific musical challenges systematically.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Can Non-Jazz Instruments Play Jazz?
23 januari 2024 · 12 min
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent addresses a question from Jim about learning jazz on non-traditional instruments, specifically the bluegrass-style five-string banjo. Brent emphasizes that, regardless of the instrument, all musicians need to focus on common aspects of jazz, such as learning songs, playing melodies, understanding chords, and improvisation. Lees meer
He highlights that the core principles of playing jazz apply universally, regardless of the instrument played. Brent discusses the instrument-specific challenges that musicians may face but emphasizes that these are limitations specific to the instrument, not the genre. He mentions examples of ukulele, dobro, and lap steel players in the LearnJazzStandards Inner Circle, demonstrating how musicians with diverse instruments can contribute and learn together.
Brent also provides insights into how the Inner Circle can assist musicians on non-traditional instruments with its instrument-agnostic approach, offering resources like chord tone maps, guide tone maps, jazz solos, and ear training.
The episode concludes with Brent encouraging musicians to embrace the uniqueness of their instruments and explore the possibilities of playing jazz on any instrument.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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The Biggest Challenge In Jazz I've Ever Faced
22 januari 2024 · 9 min
In this podcast episode, Brent addresses a question from David Garcia about his biggest challenge in jazz. Brent candidly discusses the significant obstacle he faced throughout his jazz journey—the fear of sounding bad. Lees meer
He emphasizes how this fear, rooted in concerns about ego and judgment, can impede progress, hinder creativity, and diminish the joy of playing music.
Brent shares his personal experience of gradually overcoming this challenge by adopting a growth mindset, embracing mistakes, and focusing on the joy of the musical journey. He highlights the importance of mindset in jazz and suggests that at least 50% of playing music is about cultivating a positive and growth-oriented mindset.
Brent concludes by encouraging musicians to equally prioritize their mental well-being alongside technical proficiency in their musical endeavors.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How to Create Less Choppy Solos
19 januari 2024 · 8 min
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent addresses a strategy to improve improvisation. He discusses the common issue of playing short and choppy phrases in solos and suggests an exercise called the "subdivisions exercise" to overcome this habit. Lees meer
The exercise involves playing continuous quarter notes, eighth notes, and triplets against a metronome or backing track to develop longer flowing eighth note lines. Brent encourages musicians to exaggerate this process to make playing continuous lines feel more natural.
He emphasizes the importance of incorporating longer flowing lines to enhance the professionalism of a solo. The episode concludes with a reminder about the significance of taking action on acquired knowledge and engaging in effective practice.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How Do I Turn Scales and Arpeggios Into Solos?
18 januari 2024 · 11 min
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent addresses a question from Paul Elwood about connecting scales/arpeggios and improvisation. Brent emphasizes that scales and arpeggios are foundational tools but suggests a shift in mindset from thinking about chord tones or scales to improvising more instinctively. Lees meer
He introduces a framework involving learning, recomposing, composing, and improvising to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and creative expression.
Brent encourages musicians to experiment, let their ears guide them, and embrace the joy of improvisation. The episode concludes with a reminder about the importance of knowledge in action and focused, effective practice.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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What Are Ghost Notes in Jazz?
17 januari 2024 · 8 min
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent answers a question from Marlene about ghost notes in jazz soloing. He describes ghost notes as less intentional and more of a stylistic and phrasing element in jazz improvisation. Lees meer
Using the example of Charlie Parker's "Scrapple from the Apple," Brent illustrates how ghost notes are integrated into jazz melodies. He emphasizes that ghost notes are best learned organically through playing and phrasing jazz in a certain style, rather than planning them deliberately.
The episode concludes with a reminder about the importance of knowledge in action and the effectiveness of focused practice.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Who Is The Greatest Jazz Guitarist of All Time?
16 januari 2024 · 12 min
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent explores the question of who the greatest jazz guitarist is. Acknowledging the subjectivity of such a determination, Brent highlights influential figures like Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, and many other jazz guitar legends. Lees meer
Emphasizing the importance of studying various players regardless of one's instrument, Brent encourages listeners to delve into the unique sounds and styles of these guitarists to enhance their own musicality.
The episode concludes with a reminder that knowledge without action and quality practice is not truly beneficial.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Is Good Instrument Technique Important for Jazz?
15 januari 2024 · 10 min
In this episode, Brent from Learn Jazz Standards addresses a question from Elmer Pickett about hand position on the guitar neck to enhance ease of play and minimize the risk of injury. Lees meer
Brent emphasizes the importance of technique in playing jazz well but acknowledges exceptions. He shares a personal experience with bassist John Patitucci providing guidance on hand position.
Brent explores the idea that the best technique is the one that allows you to play your best, citing examples of famous musicians with different approaches. The episode concludes with a reminder to prioritize good posture and technique to avoid injury and ensure longevity in playing.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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The One Jazz Standard Strategy for Jazz
12 januari 2024 · 9 min
In this podcast episode, Brent introduces the "One Jazz Standard Strategy for Jazz." The philosophy behind this strategy is rooted in the belief that the most effective way to improve jazz playing is by learning new songs. Lees meer
The strategy involves dedicating one month to learning a single jazz standard, focusing on the melody, chords, and choosing one specific area of improvement.
The approach aims to deepen understanding, address weaknesses, and manage practice expectations effectively. This focused strategy has proven successful for students, emphasizing the quality of practice over quantity.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How Do I Retain the Songs I've Learned?
11 januari 2024 · 10 min
In this episode, Brent addresses a question about balancing learning new jazz songs and retaining previous ones, especially with limited practice time. He highlights the importance of mindset, emphasizing that not every song needs to be remembered forever. Lees meer
The key is understanding the purpose of learning a song for playing with others or educational benefits. Brent suggests incorporating periodic review sessions into practice routines, dedicating time to refresh and maintain the songs already learned.
Balancing learning new songs with occasional review helps strike an effective practice routine.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Which Metronomes Are Good For Jazz?
10 januari 2024 · 11 min
Brent discusses the role of metronomes in jazz practice, responding to a question about the pulse metronome. He emphasizes that metronomes help develop internal time and a steady time feel. Lees meer
Suggesting online metronomes, he provides exercises for flexibility in time feel. Brent underscores the value of playing with recordings and adapting to different tempos, urging musicians to use metronomes judiciously as one tool among many.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Should I Be Counting When I Solo?
9 januari 2024 · 9 min
In this podcast episode, Brent addresses a question from Cliff Dunn about counting while soloing. Brent advises against counting while soloing, emphasizing the challenge of trying to coordinate two different tasks simultaneously. Lees meer
Instead, he recommends practicing feeling the time and provides various strategies, such as listening to recordings, working with a metronome, and breaking down the feeling of a measure. Brent encourages musicians to focus on feeling the music in their bodies and offers practical tips to improve time perception during solos.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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What Size of Jazz Band is Best?
8 januari 2024 · 9 min
In this podcast episode, Brent addresses a question from Ed Robinson about the preference between a jazz trio or a quartet. Brent emphasizes the value of playing with other musicians and highlights the diverse challenges and experiences that come with different band settings. Lees meer
He shares personal insights, expressing a preference for a quartet setting with bass, drums, guitar (himself), and a saxophone. Brett encourages musicians to explore various settings to grow as jazz players and musicians.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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The Batch Practice Method for Jazz
5 januari 2024 · 10 min
In this podcast episode, Brent talks about adopting the Batch Practice Method to improve jazz skills. and outlines a simple but focused approach to achieve measurable progress by breaking learning goals into small, manageable batches to master over multiple practice sessions before moving on incrementally. Lees meer
Key steps include defining a concrete overall project like learning a new standard monthly, then batching subsets like intervals of melody, chords, or solos to deeply ingrain before adding more.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Should I Think When I Improvise?
4 januari 2024 · 10 min
In this episode, Brent answers a question from an inner circle member of the Learn Jazz Standards community, on whether musicians should think while improvising or just play what they feel. Lees meer
Brent explains that the best improvisers utilize both conscious thinking to guide their playing and subconscious reactions to melodies and emotions.
He advises practicing 'playing free' without goals to enter a relaxed mental state, as well as deeply studying theory, chords, and licks in the practice room so this knowledge becomes instinctive during performances.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How to Use the Melodic Minor In Jazz
3 januari 2024 · 11 min
In this episode, Brent answers a listener's question asking how to use melodic minor scales over dominant seventh chords in jazz improvisation. Brent explains music theory provides tools to conceptualize improvisation, though the goal is applying scales flexibly to add textures and flavors. Lees meer
He demonstrates three uses of melodic minor scales: over half-diminished II chords in minor key progressions, a half-step up from the root of dominant V chords, and the root of minor I chords. Key takeaways are understanding scale applications as devices for tension and resolution rather than playing rigid patterns.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Who's the First Ever Jazz Musician?
2 januari 2024 · 8 min
In this episode, Brent answers a listener's question on who was the first jazz musician in history. He explains there is no definitive single originator but rather an evolution in New Orleans reflecting diverse musical and cultural influences. Lees meer
Key musicians mentioned are Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, and Louis Armstrong, among others. Brent emphasizes understanding jazz history and listening to key recordings to appreciate how the music developed and continues evolving.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
-
The Best Songs for Jazz Beginners
1 januari 2024 · 10 min
In this episode, Brent provides beginner jazz musicians advice on the best standards for learning jazz improvisation. He recommends simple tunes covering basic concepts like modal playing, blues forms, and ii-V-I progressions to get started. Lees meer
Key takeaways explain building blocks like scales, relative major/minor keys, and chord/melody relationships.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Introducing Season 2 of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast
1 januari 2024 · 2 min
Today's episode marks the 2nd season of the Learn Jazz Standards podcast. Brent explains shifting the show's direction to better serve listeners by focusing on answering their specific jazz learning questions, with shorter 10-minute episodes four days a week and 'Fast Track Friday' strategy episodes. The host conveys excitement for the coming daily content and urges listeners to subscribe. Lees meer
In this episode:
1. Taking Season 2 in a slightly different direction
2. New podcast scheduleImportant Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast -
Why I'm taking a break from the podcast...
9 oktober 2023 · 28 min
Okay, so this is the second time I'm restarting recording this episode. I want to get this right. So I am taking a break from the Learn Jazz Standards podcast, and I'm going to talk about what's gone into this decision, what this means for the future, what it means for you as the podcast listener, and why I'm actually incredibly excited about the future and you should be too. Lees meer
And why this isn't goodbye by any stretch or any sort of way. I'll leave with that up front, but let's talk about that.
In this episode:
Why this isn't a goodbye...
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How a Hobbyist Musician Created a Pro Jazz Album (feat. Christian Schrader)
2 oktober 2023 · 47 min
"Music and the opportunity for music is all around us. And you can find inspiration in conversation or just the rhythm of something happening around you. And so I would just take these snippets, get home, and say, what can I do with this? Lees meer
And I would start to sing a melody around those words and think about what the story could be that surrounds those words."
That was Christian Schrader, a self-described hobbyist musician who recently created a pro jazz album. He described this as one of the biggest musical accomplishments of his entire life. And so if you're ever someone who's thought about reaching this really high aspirational musical or jazz goal, but just didn't feel like you had what it took, this is gonna be an inspirational episode.
I talked to Christian and we did an interview and just went through this whole process, went through his head, how did he create this album? And there are so many great lessons along the way. I'm excited for you to listen to this.
In this episode:
1. Christian Schrader's "regular life" and his musical background
2. Favorite jazz musicians who influenced his love for jazz
3. How the album started and the little help he got from friends
4. The process of completing his music
5. On good attitude and the right connectionsImportant Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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5 Ways to Make Practice Not Boring
25 september 2023 · 25 min
Do you ever get that feeling when you're looking at your instrument sitting there in the corner and you just don't feel like picking it up? It's kind of a strange feeling because deep inside you're excited about music and jazz and you want to improve and you know you have that idea of practicing but then when you actually go to do it there's some kind of resistance there. Lees meer
And sometimes the reason that is is because practicing can sometimes be boring. That is if you practice in a boring way.
So in today's episode, we're going to talk about five ways to make practice not boring so that you're having fun when you go to pick up your instrument and learn new things.
In this episode:
5 Ways to Make Practice Not Boring
1. Practice things you like to practice
2. Practice high-leverage activities, things that give you big results.
3. Add purpose to your practice. Don't just be doing a meaningless task for no reason.
4. Practice in a fun way, ways that are fun for you to practice.
5. Practice with a goal in mind or goals in mind.Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Revisiting the Fundamentals of Learning Jazz
18 september 2023 · 41 min
If you're a complete beginner to jazz, this episode is for you. If you are an intermediate jazz player, this episode is for you. And if you consider yourself an advanced jazz player, this episode is also for you. Lees meer
In today's episode, we are going to be talking about the fundamentals of learning jazz. Whether you are brand new and you need to know this information or you're somewhere down the line, it is important for us to continually revisit what actually works and what we actually do need to know when it comes to learning jazz, improving as jazz improvisers and playing as we've never, ever dreamed we could.
In this episode:
The 4 categories for learning jazz:
Category #1: Fundamentals of learning jazz
Category #2: Jazz Theory
Category #3: The 3 Pillars of Jazz Improvisation
Category #4: PracticingImportant Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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10 Tips for Learning Music By Ear
11 september 2023 · 39 min
So a common piece of advice when learning jazz and becoming a better improviser, learning songs is you should do it by learning it by ear rather than reading sheet music. And there are a plethora of reasons why teachers will say this is a good idea. Lees meer
However, for someone who is new to this idea or who was trained to read music or use tablature, this could be a very scary, foreign, and frustrating concept.
So in today's episode, I want to go over ten tips that I regularly share with my Inner Circle members for how to learn music by ear.
In this episode:
10 Tips for Learning Music By Ear
Tip #1: Start small
Tip #2: Adjust your expectations
Tip #3: Check your work with notation at first
Tip #4: Use a slow-downer
Tip #5: Learn more tunes
Tip #6: Practice melodic dictation
Tip #7: Practice ear-training fundamentals
Tip #8: Mindfully listen to music
Tip #9: Sing before you play
Tip #10: Have a processImportant Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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9 Jazz Chord Progressions You Need to Know
4 september 2023 · 35 min
The best way to learn jazz and improve over time is simply to learn more songs, aka jazz standards. But those jazz standards, those songs are made up of chord progressions. Lees meer
The good news is that even though there are a lot of complex chord progressions, or at least seemingly complex chord progressions in jazz standards, a lot of them come up time and time again, over and over.
So once you learn one jazz standard in two or three, you're going to start seeing those same chord progressions come up in many, many other ones. So what are the chord progressions that you need to know for jazz?
In this episode, we're going to talk about nine of them that are really common and you'll see come up a lot.
In this episode:
1. The major 2-5-1 chord progression
2. The minor 2-5-1 chord progression
3. The major 1-6-2-5 chord progression
4. The minor 1-6-2-5 chord progression
5. Chord progression #5 is when the 3 chord replaces the 1
6. Chord progression #6 is when the sharp one diminished, replaces the 6th
7. The 1-4-3-6 chord progression
8. The chromatic 2-5s or sidestep 2-5s
9. The tritone sub of 5Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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Free Masterclass: Jazz Standards Mastery Formula
28 augustus 2023 · 38 min
Hey, my friends, Brent here from Learn Jazz Standards. Here on the podcast for the month of August, we've been doing a themed month called Free Masterclass August, where I've been giving away different Masterclasses that we've done in the past here on Learn Jazz Standards, whether it be from our virtual summits, retreats or otherwise, just to, you know, it's the summer, it's the end of the summer. Lees meer
We're about to go into the fall coming up here soon, and I just kind of wanted to unleash a lot of value and information for you to kind of set you up for when perhaps you're going to be more active in practicing and getting back to it, improving and getting to your musical goals again.
Today's masterclass, honestly, if I'm being really honest with you, I had a little bit of a hard time pulling the trigger on sharing this one with you. The reason for that is because this is kind of one of our most valuable Signature Masterclasses that I usually ask for an exchange of an email address to receive this Masterclass.
So it usually is free, but of course, with the exchange of an email address. So I had a little bit of hesitation just kind of sharing this here on the podcast today. But again, in the spirit of the Free Masterclass August, I decided if it makes me feel just a tad bit uncomfortable, then it probably is a good thing just to unleash all the value on you this month and just help you improve.
So in that spirit, I'm sharing with you our masterclass called Jazz Standards Mastery Formula, our signature masterclass. It really sort of gives the big overarching philosophy behind our company, Learn Jazz Standards.
How do you learn to play jazz songs? How do you improvise over jazz songs? This is kind of like our approach and really is a lot of what we actually do in our Inner Circle membership. You will hear me give a little bit of a hard pitch for the Inner Circle membership at the end of Jazz Standards Mastery Formula here.
But just know that everything I teach here i…
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Free Masterclass: Orchestrating Your Musical Breakthrough
21 augustus 2023 · 38 min
Hey, my friends, Brent here from Learn Jazz standards. We are continuing our themed month of August called Free Masterclass August, where I'm giving away some Masterclasses here on the podcast that we've done in the past at various different events and mediums just to give a little extra special, a little bit of fun here and value for finishing up the summer so. Lees meer
So, I hope you enjoy it. We've had some great Masterclasses this month on the podcast. Already today, I want to share a Masterclass that was given during our Learn Jazz Live Virtual Summit in 2022 by a team member of mine, Brett Pontecorvo.
And those of you who are Inner Circle members know Brett very well because he's in the community coaching, and he creates some of our content for our monthly Jazz Standard Studies. And he gave a really great masterclass that year called "Orchestrating Your Musical Breakthrough".
So, a lot of us sometimes feel a little stuck in our playing, feel like we hit plateaus, or perhaps just don't really understand that we have so much potential as musicians. And so what Brett does is he talks about in this Masterclass ways for us to start achieving a musical breakthrough.
That "AHA!" moment where you feel like you're improving and you get excited. That moment that we're all really searching for when we sit down with our instruments. So without further ado, let's go ahead and get Brett Pontecorvo on to give this masterclass, "Orchestrating Your Musical Breakthrough".
In this episode:
Achieve breakthroughs and make progress in learning jazz with the following strategies:
1. Define a game you can win by setting clear and achievable goals with measurable victory conditions
2. Develop a strategy to achieve these goals by overcoming barriers like negative self-talk, lack of time, and lack of information
3. Take consistent action by practicing regularly in short bursts, making the process fun, and sticking to your plan
4. Acknowledge your wins and progress to stay motivated, a…
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Free Masterclass: Your Best Jazz Playing Ever
14 augustus 2023 · 31 min
Hey, my friend Brent here from LearnJazz Standards. We are continuing our themed month here in the podcast of free masterclass August, where I'm giving away different masterclasses that we've done in the past here on LearnJazz Standards. Lees meer
Last week, we came out with a free masterclass podcast episode and we're continuing that on here in today's episode. So really excited to dive into this one. This particular masterclass was a masterclass that was conducted at our Inner Circle Retreat earlier this year.
Now this Inner Circle Retreat was an invite -only event for our Inner Circle members, our LearnJazz Standards Inner Circle members. So you'll hear a lot of stuff in the masterclass referring to the Inner Circle and the things that we do in the Inner Circle.
So of course, if that's something that you're interested in, definitely go check it out, lgsinnersercle .com, or you'll find the link to that in the description down below. And just to note, this was, of course, a live event. So it was conducted over Zoom.
I was sharing slide presentations and so on and so forth. So there are visual elements to it. However, the audio version of this is going to work just fine. You'll also notice as well during the masterclass that I'm referring to other workshops and masterclasses that are yet to come, this being the very first masterclass we conducted during this retreat.
And so while we won't be giving those away, especially out of respect for our Inner Circle members who pay to attend this, you'll still get a lot of value from the material presented here at this masterclass, 100% really valuable stuff here.
So I hope you enjoy this masterclass. This is called your best jazz playing ever.
In this episode:
Things that hold us back from attaining our jazz goals:
1. Doing the same things and expecting different results
2. Unrealistic expectations
3. Ineffective practicing
4. Loss of motivationSteps to move us forward toward our jazz goals:
1. Step #1: Complete a monthly p… -
Free Masterclass: How to Effortlessly Improvise Amazing Jazz Solos
7 augustus 2023 · 26 min
During the month of August, we are doing a themed month called Free Masterclass August. For over the next four weeks, I'll be sharing with you different masterclasses that we've come out with in the past on Learn Jazz Standards. Lees meer
Masterclasses that range from topics on jazz improv and practicing and theory and really just all kinds of stuff to help you improve your jazz playing. These are special masterclasses that were presented at events such as our Learn Jazz Live Virtual Summits that we've had in the past and then a few other mediums as well.
A special treat here for August to kind of end the summer here and jump right into September next month where a lot of us are gonna be diving a little bit deeper. And so I wanna give you guys a little bit of ammunition here to take into after the summer is over and start practicing.
So while most of these masterclasses are originally in video, they work really well for the podcast and the audio format, you'll still get quite a bit from them.
Today's masterclass is from our Learn Jazz Live 2022 Virtual Summit that we had. And this masterclass is called How to Effortlessly Improvise Amazing Jazz Solos. This is a masterclass that I gave at our Virtual Summit and I know that you're gonna find it really valuable.
Talking about how we go from learning jazz language, like learning solos by ear and licks by ear, stuff like this to actually bridging the gap to playing live, like going out and actually improvising so that stuff comes out naturally. Go over some really important strategies for how to do that.
In this episode:
1. There is a significant gap between learning jazz solos and actually improvising during live performances.
2. The L.I.S.T. method - listening, internalizing, singing, and transferring - is an effective way to learn solos by ear.
3. Learning jazz solos by ear is crucial for jazz improvisers to internalize the language and vocabulary necessary for improvisation effectively.
4. The LCI Strategy: The LCI (Le… -
How to Learn Lots of Jazz Songs Quickly
31 juli 2023 · 26 min
Imagine someone calls you for a jazz gig that's to be performed in a couple of weeks and they hand you the list of repertoire, 20 songs, and you don't know any of those songs. What would you do in order to learn a lot of jazz songs quickly and is it even possible? Lees meer
Well, in today's episode, I'm going to be talking about strategies to help you do that, to be successful in a situation like this, as well as some strategies that will help you in the long term.
In this episode:
Strategies and tools to help learn a large amount of jazz repertoire quickly for an upcoming performance
1. Get the list of repertoire.
2. Create a playlist.
3. Use chord charts.
4. Focus on the melody.
5. Batch your learning.
6. Manage your expectations.
7. Long-term learning.
8. Develop musical skills.
9. Learn jazz standards deeply.
10. Practice regularly: Consistent practice and exposure to jazz music will help you improve your skills and make it easier to learn new songs quickly when necessary.Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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The Best Way to Learn a Jazz Song
24 juli 2023 · 41 min
Here at Learn Jazz Standards, our philosophy is that the best way to learn jazz and improve is to learn jazz songs, aka. Jazz Standards. The fastest the best way to improve is to simply learn more songs, even if you're starting at the very beginning of your jazz journey. Lees meer
But there may be some holes for you for how to go about learning. Learning a song, especially a jazz song. It can be an overwhelming task. You may wonder what the best way to do it is, and you may wonder how to improve faster by learning jazz repertoire.
So, in today's episode, we're going to talk about just the best way to learn a jazz song.
In this episode:
1. Considering the time frame for learning a jazz standard.
2. Having a goal-oriented, focused practice based upon projects like learning a jazz standard in one month to improve exponentially over time.
3. Going through the L.I.S.T. process.
4. Learning the chords no matter what instrument you play.
5. The "Batching" strategy.
6. Applying one tool or strategy for improvising over a jazz standard.Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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How to Become A Jazz Master
17 juli 2023 · 43 min
So, what does it take to become a jazz master? I'm talking about someone who plays jazz at the highest possible level, feels comfortable playing in any situation, and always plays amazing music that wows other people. Lees meer
I'm going to talk today about what I see as the formula for becoming a jazz master, everything that you need to essentially become really good at to get to that level.
In this episode:
- A jazz master is someone who is proficient at playing jazz and their instrument, whether famous or not.
- Mastery doesn't mean reaching the highest level of expertise, as there's always room for growth and innovation.
- What it takes to become a jazz master:
#1. Instrument proficiency
#2. Ear-training
#3. Music theory knowledge
#4. Mastery of rhythm and time feel
#5. Having an extensive repertoire
#6. Great reading skills
#7. Ability to play well with other people
#8. Possesses a high level of confidenceImportant Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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The Pros and Cons of Practicing In All 12 Keys
10 juli 2023 · 36 min
So you've probably heard the advice before that learning material in All 12 Keys is a great idea, whether it be for the sake of playing jazz or any other style of music. Lees meer
You've probably heard this conventional wisdom before and wondered to yourself is it really worth my practice time to learn things in All 12 Keys, or is it really just this frustrating process that doesn't really have a lot of net benefit?
Well, in today's podcast episode, we're going to talk all about playing in All 12 Keys, the pros and the cons, as well as some tips for going about learning material in All 12 Keys.
In this episode:
1. Pros of practicing in all 12 keys include developing instrument mastery and a fuller understanding of improvisation.
2. Practicing in all 12 keys expands options and allows playing in different keys.
3. It enhances musical versatility and adaptability.
4. Transposing music into different keys improves ear training and tonal recognition.
5. It aids in understanding music theory and chord-scale relationships.
6. Practicing in all 12 keys improves overall technical proficiency.
7. It stimulates creativity and fosters new musical ideas in each key.
8. Practicing in all 12 keys builds confidence for diverse musical situations.
9. It inspires and opens up new musical possibilities.
10. It deepens musical fluency and facilitates effective communication with other musicians.
11. Transposing music into different keys promotes a deeper understanding of harmony.
12. It cultivates a connection and appreciation for various musical genres and styles.
13. Cons may involve the amount of work and transposing required, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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25 Jazz Albums Every Jazz Musician Needs to Know
3 juli 2023 · 49 min
One of the most important things that you can do is listen to jazz music, and that seems so simple, but literally you are practicing when you listen to jazz music. Lees meer
You will become a better jazz musician, simply by putting on your headphones or putting them on the speakers and just listening to how this music actually sounds.
So today I'm gonna talk about 25 jazz albums that every jazz musician absolutely needs to know, absolutely needs to listen to.
In this episode:
1. Listening to jazz is essential for becoming a great jazz musician.
2. Being aware of different styles and artists in jazz is important for personal growth and inspiration.
3. Jazz albums can have a transformative effect on a musician's playing.
#1: Louis Armstrong's "Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Sessions"
#2: Duke Ellington's "Live at Newport"
#3: Count Basie's "The Complete Deca Recordings"
#4: Benny Goodman's "The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert"
#5: Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie's "Quintet Jazz at Massey Hall"
#6: "Charlie Parker with Strings" - Charlie Parker
#7: Sonny Rollins' "Saxophone Colossus"
#8: John Coltrane's "Blue Train"
#9: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers' "Moanin'"
#10: "Sonny Side Up" by Dizzy Gillespie
#11: "Boss Tenors" by Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt
#12: "Soul Station" by Hank Mobley
#13: Wes Montgomery's "Boss Guitar"
#14. "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis
#15: "Time Out" by Dave Brubeck
#16: "Mingus Ah Um" by Charles Mingus
#17: "The Shape of Jazz to Come" by Ornette Coleman
#18: "Giant Steps" by John Coltrane
#19: "A Love Supreme" by John Coltrane
#20: "The Blues in the Abstract Truth" by Oliver Nelson
#21: "Bitches Brew" by Miles Davis
#22: "Head Hunters" by Herbie Hancock
#23: "Heavy Weather" by Weather Report
#24: "Bright Size Life" by Pat Metheny
#25: "Deep Song" by Kurt RosenwinkelImportant Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz…
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The Dark Side of Jazz Musician Culture
26 juni 2023 · 43 min
The movie Whiplash came out in 2014 and it's about this young jazz drummer named Andrew Nyman, who is determined to succeed as a jazz musician, and he's driven by his demanding music teacher, Terrence Fletcher, who can be best described as a harsh, ruthless yet highly respected instructor who really has abusive teaching methods. Lees meer
And Andrew the drummer, a student at college, can best be described as an overly ambitious young musician who is completely obsessed with improving and, of course, fulfilling his desire to be a great musician.
And when this movie first came out and I watched it I absolutely hated it. I hated it because to me it seemed like this completely wrong view of what it's like to be an aspiring musician or what it's like to be instructed by great jazz musicians.
Is it really this abusive, horrifying, stressful, deprecating experience? And for me, I just absolutely hated the notion that this could possibly be true. Or let's go to another movie that depicts jazz, La La Land, where Ryan Gosling plays a character, where he's this musician trying to make it, a jazz musician trying to make it in Los Angeles, and his personality type is that of a very narrow, single-minded, focused, overly obsessed musician who has to "sell out" by starting to play in a jazz fusion band in order to prove to his girlfriend that he actually can make a living in the music.
So really, even though I actually liked some of the depictions of jazz within this movie and what it's like to be a musician, I still hated the fact that it seems like the characters are just absolutely swarmed in this dark cloud that is raining on them with self-loathing, with obsession, with all of this negativity. And then I realized why I hate it so much. And it's not because, unfortunately, that it's entirely untrue, as I originally had felt when I first washed Whiplash. Sure, absolutely very exaggerated examples of a problem that can exist.
But nevertheless, there's always a little bit of truth in…
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Jazz Teacher vs. Jazz Coach - Which One Do You Need?
19 juni 2023 · 31 min
Have you ever played sports on a team before? Perhaps while you were growing up, and if you've ever done that before, you probably had a coach. Lees meer
Now, I know for a fact that you have gone to school before, at least to some degree elementary school, high school, perhaps even college and while you were in school, you had what's called a teacher, and the difference between a coach and a teacher is actually quite interesting, and that's really what we're going to talk about today.
When it comes to your jazz playing and improving as a jazz musician, which one do you need, a jazz coach or a jazz teacher? And depending on where you're at and what you need to accomplish at this given moment in your musicianship, one may be better than the other for you.
In this episode:
1. The difference between jazz coaches and jazz teachers.
2. The importance of having both teachers to improve as a jazz musician.
3. While free resources like podcasts and YouTube are helpful, investing in music education is crucial for growth.
4. A jazz teacher imparts new information and skills, such as scales, music theory, and specific techniques.
5. A jazz coach refines and improves knowledge and abilities, provides direction, and helps players progress.
6. Jazz coaches are valuable for those with a basic understanding of their instrument, who need guidance and a pathway to improve faster.
7. Teachers and coaches can overlap in their roles, and individuals may require both at different stages of their musical journey.
8. Using the "B.A.D." framework used by jazz coaches to help students analyze their solos and improve strategically.Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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3 Melodic Minor Scale Jazz Improv Hacks
12 juni 2023 · 26 min
The melodic minor scale is one of those scales that can be used to explain what we call "chord scale theory" in jazz improvisation. It's essentially like the mixture of a minor scale and a major scale, having the major third included in it, and you can do all sorts of different cool things, playing the melodic minor scale in different sorts of ways over top of different kinds of chords. Lees meer
Well, in today's episode, I want to simplify all of that. Forget about all of the possibilities that you could use the melodic minor scale and jazz improvisation and narrow it down to three. That, I think, will be really helpful for you for using the melodic minor scale.
In this episode:
The melodic minor scale is a versatile scale in jazz improvisation.
Simplify the approach by focusing on three specific applications of the melodic minor scale.
Scales are tools for conceptualizing note choices, not the primary resource for improvisation.
The first application is using the melodic minor scale a minor third up from a half-diminished chord.
The second application is using the melodic minor scale a half step up from a dominant seventh chord, creating an altered sound.
The third application is using the melodic minor scale of the minor chord itself.
The melodic minor scale can provide altered sounds and substitutions for minor chords.
Understanding the melodic minor scale and its applications help develop patterns and muscle memory for improvisation.
Jazz musicians focus on hearing the scale's sound rather than analyzing each note.
The melodic minor scale provides pitch collections that sound good over specific chords in jazz standards.
Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
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About My Bad Relationship With Music...
5 juni 2023 · 31 min
Hey, I've got a question for you. What's your relationship with music like? Is it good? Is it bad? Is it perhaps a little bit of both? Lees meer
Well, on today's episode, I'm gonna get a little bit vulnerable with you, share a little bit my personal life experience with music, my journey with music, and how oftentimes in this journey of playing music and exploring it and getting better, it was quite an abusive and unhealthy relationship.
And this past of mine with a bad relationship with music has greatly informed how I approach teaching jazz and the way I help my inner circle members and beyond so that they don't have the same relationship with music for themselves.
In this episode:
1. My personal experience with music and how it has shaped his approach to teaching jazz.
2. Developing a strong attachment to your identity as a musician and the self-worth tied to your musical abilities.
3. The comparison game and the constant feeling of dissatisfaction with your own playing.
4. The extreme practicing and the focus on becoming the best musician, leads to a skewed mindset.
5. The importance of dissatisfaction as a driving force for improvement that emphasizes the negative consequences of constantly feeling unsatisfied.
6. The impact of stress and anxiety on playing, particularly when comparing yourself to others.
7. Avoiding the same mindset and mistakes others made by promoting a healthier and more enjoyable approach to playing music.Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!