Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How to Apply Scales to Jazz Standards May 18, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 219 of the LJS Podcast where today I walk through an exercise for applying scales to jazz standards and song forms such as the blues.
Scales are a great way of mapping out note choices over chords. But we want to be able to do this in a way that connects chords together melodically. You'll learn how to do this over a 12-bar blues.
Imagine you are planning a cross-country road trip in whatever country you live in. And before you go on your trip, you want to map out all the different possible attractions you could possibly see on the way to your final destination. And even though you are not going to end up seeing all of them, at least you know what's available to you. Sometimes it's just going to look like a zigzag. It's going to go way off course. It's going to be taking twists and turns but eventually, you will get to your final destination. But when it comes to jazz improvisation, sometimes we want to map out all the different note choices we have available to us before we start trying to create actual melodies. And this is where scales can be helpful when applied in exercises.
So, in today's episode, I'm going to talk about how to start applying scales to jazz, in a way that we can start mapping out note choices but connecting them together so that we end up getting to our final destination at the end of the song form.
In this episode:
1. Scale choices over a concert C blues
2. Scale tone map over a concert C blues Episode Images:
Important Links:
1. LJS Inner Circle Membership
2. Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
3. LJS 214: 16 Scales to Know for Jazz

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Practicing with Intention and Growing Through Consistency (feat. Trent Jordan) May 11, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 218 of the LJS Podcast where today I talk with LJS course member and saxophonist Trent Jordan.
Trent is a hobbyist musician living in Brisbane, Australia who enjoys spending his downtime practicing his saxophone and honing his jazz improv skills. In this episode, Trent shares what's working for him in the practice room and get inside what he's doing to improve.
One of the most enjoyable things for me as an online jazz educator is getting to watch my students in my courses post video and audio assignments of the different things that we do in those courses, a video and audio of them practicing, of them playing and improvising. It's just really fun for me to see people making progress and it's also really fun for the rest of the community to see each other working on things. It's very motivating and I feel like everybody gets to learn from each other by just seeing what each other is doing in the practice room.
So, in today's episode, I'm going to have on a special guest, Trent Jordan from Brisbane, Australia. He is a member of a few of my different courses and he is an avid practicer, someone who is very engaged in the community. I'm just excited to learn alongside with you what he's doing, and what's working best for him, and we will all learn from him together.
In this episode:
1. How Trent got started playing jazz
2. Why Trent plays jazz and what keeps him motivated
3. What Trent is working on in the practice room and what is working best
4. I help Trent with a few exercises to help him start connecting his lines together
Important Links:
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way

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Learn Music Faster with Community (feat. Christopher Sutton) May 04, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 217 of the LJS Podcast where today I talk with the founder and director of Musical-U, Christopher Sutton. Musical-U is a music education membership with a focus on training and community learning. Christopher shares the impact he's seen with learning music within his own community, and the power of musical social connection for your jazz playing.
It's been my personal experience with learning jazz that when I do it in a community with other musicians who are trying to accomplish the same things that I'm trying to accomplish, I learn much faster and much more efficiently. This is because I'm looking at other musicians taking action. I'm watching them do something that I want to do. I get motivated, and I get to ask questions and learn from them. And when we pull all of our knowledge and resources together, it can become a powerful force in our jazz education. I've seen this as well in my students in all of my courses, and how much of a powerful effect this can truly have to get together as a community, even an online community, and learn together and grow as jazz musicians faster and more efficiently together.
So, that's what we are going to talk about today. Today we have a special guest Christopher Sutton from Musical-U, to talk to us about the power of learning in the community.
In this episode:
1. Musical-U and the community it provides
2. Why introverts should buy the idea of community learning
3. The psychology behind learning music in the community
4. How to benefit from being a part of a musical community
Important Links:
1. Musical-U
2. The Musicality Podcast
3. LJS Inner Circle Membership
4. Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way

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By the End of This Episode You’ll Have Learned a Jazz Blues Solo Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 216 of the LJS Podcast where today I go walk you through a 12 jazz blues etude I've composed, and help you learn it by ear. Learning jazz solos by ear is important, so instead of talking about it and giving strategies, we actually do it on the episode.
What if I told you that by the time this episode is over, you are going to be able to play a 12-bar jazz blues solo by ear by memory? Would you believe me?
Well, that's exactly what we are going to do today in this episode. I'm going to walk you through 12 bars of a jazz blues solo, a little etude that I've composed, and I want you to learn it, and we are going to do it on the podcast. So, even if you are new to learning music by ear and you've heard people talk about doing it and how important it is, and how it's going to help you become a better jazz improviser, and you are feeling a little bit nervous or anxious right now, don't worry. We are going to go slow and I think that you are going to surprise yourself by the time this episode over. And if you are a veteran of this stuff, you are going to know some great new jazz language and this is going to be well worth it for all parties involved.
In this episode:
1. Why learning solos by ear is important
2. I teach you the 12 bar jazz blues solo
Important Links:
1. LJS 212: Improv Hacking Jazz Standards (3 Step Process)
2. LJS Inner Circle Membership
3. Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
4. Boost Your Jazz Blues free Masterclass

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Apps, Software, and Technology for Practicing Jazz Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 215 of the LJS Podcast where today I go over different apps, software and technology that I and other members of the LJS community recommend for practicing jazz.
Apps and software shouldn't be used as crutches, but if they are used as aids to help the learning process they can be a really helpful thing.
One thing we're lucky to have as jazz musicians here in the 21st century is lots of apps, software, and technology to help aid us in our jazz practicing and learning the music more efficiently. Now, some would say that's not so much of an advantage. I mean, if you look back at the jazz greats, they had to put in the hard work and really train their ears by picking up that needle on the record player, by going to gigs, and listening and picking things up on the fly. And absolutely, sometimes, things made easier are not made better.On the other hand, we have all these great tools at our disposal, at our fingertips, and they can be really helpful for us if used as tools and not crutches.
So, in today's episode, I'm going to be sharing some different apps, software, and technology that you can use to help you on your jazz education journey.
In this episode:
1. iReal Pro
2. Chord Bot
3. Tonaly
4. Band-in-a-Box
5. Amazing Slow Downer
6. Transcribe
7. iPhone or recorder
8. Spotify
Important Links:
1. iReal Pro
2. Chord Bot
3. Tonaly
4. Band-in-a-Box
5. Amazing Slow Downer
6. Transcribe
7. iPhone or recorder
8. Spotify

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16 Scales to Know for Jazz Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 214 of the LJS Podcast where today I go over 16 scales that can be useful when it comes to conceptualizing jazz improv.
Scales are never to be used exclusively to improvise, but the 16 I cover in this episode can be helpful to map out note choices over many different chords you will come across in jazz standards.
When it comes to jazz improvisation, scales can be really great ways to organize pitches or note choices over top of chords in chord progressions. Now, I don't think scales should be used exclusively by any means to improvise. If we do that, they often become crutches and not tools, and it sounds more like you are playing scales than actual musical melodic lines. But that doesn't mean we should throw out scales altogether. Not at all. We need to know them in order to know our instruments better, to explore them, to navigate them, and they can also be super helpful for helping us identify those note choices.
So, in today's episode, I'm going to be going over the 16 most important scales that I think you should know for jazz.
In this episode:
1. Ionian or Major
2. Dorian
3. Phrygian
4. Lydian
5. Mixolydian
6. Aeolian
7. Locrian and Locrian #2
8. Half Whole Diminished
9. Whole Half Diminished
10. Altered scale
11. Whole Tone Scale
12. Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scale
13. Lydian Dominant
14. Major Bebop Scale
15. Minor Bebop Scale
16. Mixolydian Bebop Scale
Important Links:
1. LJS Inner Circle Membership
2. Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
3. Blog Post: 16 Most Important Scales in Jazz
4. LJS 67: How to Use Pentatonics Over Any Chord

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How to Comp Over Jazz Standards Like a Pro Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 213 of the LJS Podcast where today we talk about all things comping.
This isn't just an episode for the guitarists and pianists - everyone can get benefit from the concepts discussed in this episode. You learn 3 things to keep in mind while you are comping so that you are serving the musicians you are playing with as best as possible.
In my personal opinion, one of the hardest things to teach in jazz is comping. Now, if you are a guitar player or a piano player, or a vibes player, you understand that comping is hard to put a method to, hard to put inside of a box. There are so many different things that are involved in comping. And if you are a saxophone player or a trumpet player, or any horn player, I don't want you to tune this episode out, because indeed, it is also important for you to understand the art of comping.
However, I, today, on the podcast, will give you 3 important things that you need to keep in mind as a comper when you are accompanying other musicians on the bandstand over jazz standards.
In this episode:
1. Be a rhythmic timekeeper
2. Offer supportive harmony
3. Use logical voice-leading in your voicings
Important Links:
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS 50: How to Become an Expert Comper (feat. Keelan Dimick)

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Harnessing Pure Musical Expression (Improv Session with Brent) Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 212 of the LJS Podcast where today I get behind my guitar and have an improv session.
During trying times, it can be helpful to use music as an outlet to express things that you may not be able to in words or thoughts. In this episode, I perform an improvisation for you that I hope not only you will enjoy, but feel inspired to do the same.
During times of uncertainty, music has the potential to be a healing force and to help us express our emotions, to get things out to the table that maybe we just wouldn't be able to do otherwise through the written word or through language. There's something about music and the expression through music that reaches some part of our soul that as musicians, we are very lucky and fortunate to be able to tap into. But sometimes music and studying jazz, all the things we talked about in this podcast, can be a little stressful, too. Like you are actually diving deep into concepts and putting pressure on yourself to get better and better. But today I want to live by example here and I just want to create freely for you and hopefully, you will do the same at the end of this episode as well.
In this episode:
1. How music can be a powerful outlet during trying times
2. I perform an improvisation session
Important Links:
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way

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

Bonus Episode: Special Message from Brent About COVID-19 Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

Today's episode is a special message from me to the Learn Jazz Standards family about how we can get through these trying times together, and come out the other side stronger and more motivated than ever before.
Hey, what's up, Learn Jazz Standards family! I wanted to record this bonus episode today just to say, hey listen, we are all in this together. I know that we are going through a hard time here in the world with the COVID-19 pandemic. For a lot of us, life has changed quite dramatically. From my listeners in Japan, from my listeners in the UK, from my listeners in the United States, in Canada, and all over the world. It's something that affected all of us and I know it is a time when we are feeling a lot of anxiety, some pain, some hurt, and a lot of fear about what the future holds. And what I want to do and use this platform today is not necessarily to talk about music and all that stuff that I always talk about on this show. But rather to say, in solidarity, I am here for you.
In this episode:
1. Default to Gratitude
2. Default to Generosity
3. Default to Community
4. Default to Goal Setting
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast. If you aren't already, make sure you are subscribed to iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. I look forward to having you join me in the next episode!

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Making Jazz Standards Your Own and Developing Your Musical Voice (feat. Mike Casey) Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 211 of the LJS Podcast where today we have special guest Mike Casey on the show to talk to us about arranging jazz standards so you can make them your own unique expression.
Mike lays down the value with lots of practical tips for improving your jazz improv, gives us insight to his musical growth, and gives us examples of how to arrange jazz standards.
Once you've learned the jazz standard and feel comfortable with it, you may think to yourself, well, I know how to play the melody, I know how to play the changes. I can go to a jam session or even a gig and play it with other musicians. But then, what do I do with it after that? How do I make it my own? How do I give it my own voice and how can I develop that voice through these jazz standards so it sounds like me playing it so that there is something special I'm bringing to the table.
Well on today's episode, I have a special guest saxophonist, Mike Casey, who is going to lay down a lot of really value-packed tips today. Full of stuff on how to become a better jazz improviser and a great musician in general. But he also talks a lot about taking jazz standards, arranging them to be your own, and having your own original voice. You are going to really love this episode. I know you are going to learn tons from it today.
In this episode:
1. How Mike got started playing music
2. How Mike learned every Charlie Parker head
3. A solo that Mike learned and got a lot out of
4. How to arrange jazz standards to make them your own Mike Casey's "Unforgettable" Arrangement https://youtu.be/JFg3jYZcs_w
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast.
If you aren't already, make sure you are subscribed to iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. I look forward to having you join me in the next episode!
Important Links:
Mike's website
Enter to win a free lesson with Mike

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