Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The One Jazz Standard Strategy for Jazz Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

How Do I Retain the Songs I've Learned? Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

Which Metronomes Are Good For Jazz? Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

Should I Be Counting When I Solo? Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

What Size of Jazz Band is Best? Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

The Batch Practice Method for Jazz Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

Should I Think When I Improvise? Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

How to Use the Melodic Minor In Jazz Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

Who's the First Ever Jazz Musician? Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!

The Best Songs for Jazz Beginners Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

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.
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 Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!