Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

If you've been studying jazz for a little while, you've probably heard from somebody, whether it would be me or somebody else, that it's a good idea to learn jazz solos or jazz etudes. And you may or may not fully understand why it's a good idea to do, and if you don't understand that, it could be not very motivating to go through the process of doing something tedious like this. So in today's episode, I'm gonna explain why this is a great practice and some insights that I think you'll find v...

If you know the pentatonic or the blues scale you can actually play really amazing jazz solos using just those notes. In this episode:Intro Demo: SOUL STIR BLUES - A jazz blues solo Kinds of Pentatonic Scales used in Soul Stir Blues How I put the solo together Applying rhythmic concepts SummaryImportant Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards PodcastGet our ...

Today on the podcast, I'm answering the question, "How long does it take to become a great jazz improviser?", from day 1 until that day when you're really playing solos that you're enjoying, hearing back, and feeling happy about.In This Episode: 1. Variable that will influence how long2. Defining what a "great jazz solo" is3. Conditions of practicing during timeframes of practice4. General time frames starting from a beginner level5. The secret to staying consistent***Important Links***...

If you're a guitar or a piano player, one important thing that you'd be able to do is chord melody - playing the chords and the melody of a jazz standard at the same time.But this presents a particular challenge, especially for jazz guitar players. So what are the basics of chord melody and how do you do it?In this episode:1. Intro2. Creating chord melody - Polka Dots and Moonbeams3. The basics of creating chord melody: 4. How to find the chords under the melody notes - Sect...

Listening to jazz is one of the best ways that you can improve your jazz playing without even touching your instrument and actually retain material so that it becomes exponentially easier to play when you actually do pick up your instrument. So I wanna talk about some plans for listening to jazz if your intention is to retain and ingrain musical information.In this episode:1. Why listening can be a game-changer for your jazz playing2. Framework for internalizing a jazz album3. Frameworks for ...

The best jazz musicians in the world can play a solo, unaccompanied and you know exactly the tune they were playing.You can do that, too.CHAPTERS:1. Intro2. The secret to playing chord changes3. A great jazz-blues solo4. Targeting Chord tones5. What are guide tones in a chord?6. What is motivic development?7. Tension and ResolutionImportant Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way L...

You've probably been told that playing jazz requires great ears. Well, how do you actually train your ears for jazz improvisation? I'm gonna give you 10 things you can do!CHAPTERS:1. Intro2. What are the Ear Training Fundamentals?3. The Best way for becoming a Jazz Improviser4. What is Applied Ear Training?5. The 10 Different Ideas For Applied Ear Training6. #1: Learn the Melodies of Jazz Standards by Ear7. #2: Learning A Solo Lick or Etude by Ear8. #3: Take A Lick Into Different ...

So today, I'm gonna share with you some important points in my music life, like, the first thing I played with my first guitar when I got it, how that one, 7-note lick that my first pro jazz teacher taught me gave me a "light bulb" moment, and most importantly, the reason behind what is in music that resonates with me so much that keeps me passionate about it Before I'll end this story, I'm gonna leave you with a challenge that would help keep that spark going that lights up your passio...

If you wanna be a good musician of any kind then you know you need to practice, especially if you want to play jazz.So, I'm gonna give you the very best practice advice I can give you to help you get set up for success.CHAPTERS:IntroTip #1: Can't find more time to practice? Stop trying.Tip #2: Practice lessTip #3: Ditch these if you don't want themTip #4: Focus on the things you're not good atTip #5: Give it some spaceTip #6: Keep a sense of accomplishment***Impo...

In today's episode, we're gonna do a little thought experiment that will help us get in the mindset that we need to be, to play melodies and solos creatively and at the top of our game, to take a boring expression of a melody and truly turn it into something that is riveting for the audience and riveting for ourselves.Main Points:1. Playing a melody by the book vs. the way a pro jazz musician would play it2. Example of a "basic" melody3. The "Bluenote Thought Experiment"4. Example of a pro-so...