The LJS Podcast is the podcast where you get weekly jazz tips, interviews, stories and advice for becoming a better jazz musician! Hosting the show is the jazz musician behind learnjazzstandards.com, author, and entrepreneur Brent Vaartstra, who’s one goal is to answer any question about playing jazz music you may have. Jazz can be a challenging music to learn and play, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. Each episode features a specific musical challenge that jazz students may come across, where it is discussed and answered. Special jazz guests frequent the show, sharing their expertise on an array of different musical subject matter. Listeners are invited to call in with their jazz questions to the podcast hotline, where it could get answered on a future LJS Podcast episode. Join thousands of other listeners getting free jazz education every week!
https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/podcast
episode 17: Can Non-Jazz Instruments Play Jazz?
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.
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
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