Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Latest Episodes:

1-6-2-5 Licks Over Rhythm Changes (Learning From Dexter Gordon) Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 210 of the LJS Podcast where today I take out my guitar and do a little bit of practicing with you. We explore some incredible jazz language over 1-6-2-5 chord progressions while listening to a Dexter Gordon recording of a rhythm changes. I learn and pick apart licks from scratch to help you understand what makes them so effective and great.
We are going to have some fun on the podcast today. I have not been able to pick up my guitar in a little while. I've been traveling. I've been doing a lot of work for a new membership that we have coming up here later on in the year for Learn Jazz Standards. And so, I'm going to be practicing with you today. We are going to learn some 1-6-2-5 material with the help of our good friend Dexter Gordon, to show us the light, to show us the way on some killer jazz language to play over 1-6-2-5 chord progressions. This is going to be fun. I'm excited to learn and I hope that you are excited to learn along with me.
In this episode:
1. How Dexter Gordon uses minimalism to play powerful melody over fast-moving chord changes.
2. How Dexter Gordon plays great bebop lines over 1-6-2-5's.
3. How Dexter Gordon makes the major pentatonic scale musical over a 1-6-2-5.
4. The power of resolving to the 3rds of different chords in the progression.
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:
How to Improvise on Rhythm Changes Like a Pro
Jazz Improvisation Made Simple (book)

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4 Secrets for Jazz Improv Success Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 209 of the LJS Podcast where today I talk about 4 secrets for jazz improv success. I find that jazz is often overcomplicated, so in this episode, I do my best to simplify with these 4 secrets so that you can have a great path forward and a good idea of what to work on to make the most progress in the shortest amount of time.View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode209 Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/

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Making Good Musical Decisions Through Effective Practice (feat. Dani Rabin of Marbin) Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 208 of the LJS Podcast where today I have on special guest Dani Rabin from the prog jazz-rock band Marbin.
Dani is not only a phenomenal musician but a great musical mind and educator. We discuss his philosophy on learning jazz improvisation, and effective strategies to practice towards making great musical decisions when improvising.
Important Links:
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
View Show Notes

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

3 Strategies for Melodic Improv on Jazz Standards Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 207 of the LJS Podcast where today I demonstrate three strategies you can practice to help you develop more melodic jazz solos.
Often, we are tempted to jump straight to bebop lines and complex theory applications when improvising. But simple melodies are often skipped, and therefore missing an important aspect of making meaningful solos. Learn how to start practicing this.
Important Links:
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
View Show Notes

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

Jazz Improvisation Made Simple (A Preview Reading of My New Book) Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 206 of the LJS Podcast where today I have a special podcast episode planned.
My new book, "Jazz Improvisation Made Simple" is launching on Amazon on March 8, 2020. The Kindle eBook version is now available for pre-order and to celebrate, I do a reading of the Introduction and first chapter of the book. I know you'll enjoy this.
Important Links:
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
View Show Notes

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

Learning from the Greats and Embracing the Joy of Musical Growth (feat. Shirley Jansen) Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 205 of the LJS Podcast where today I have a special guest and 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing alumni, Shirley Jansen on the show.
Shirley is a tenor saxophone player who exudes the joy of musical growth. She shares what has been working for her in her jazz playing, the power of learning solos from the jazz greats, and how the community is helping her grow.
Important Links:
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
View Show Notes

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

How to Prepare for Jam Sessions and Group Playing (feat. Diego Maldonado and Wallace Stelzer) Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 204 of the LJS Podcast where today I have professional jazz musicians Diego Maldonado and Wallace Stelzer on the show to talk all about preparing to play live with other people.
One of the top musical goals I hear among the LJS Community is to be able to play with other musicians, whether that be at the local jazz jam or with some friends.
In this episode, we discuss what you need to do to prepare, and how to know when you are ready.
Important Links:
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
View Show Notes

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

Practicing with a Plan and Crushing Musical Weaknesses (feat Bob Petix) Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 203 of the LJS Podcast where today I talk with special guest and LJS community member, Bob Petix about his journey as a jazz bassist.
He talks about getting started playing bass in his late 40's and how he has developed his musicianship since then. We talk about what's working for him in the practice room and some of the key things that have stimulated his musical improvement.
One of the biggest themes for Learn Jazz Standards this year 2020 is community. This is really the year of community where we are building community and we are learning from each other as a community because I do believe that this is the best way that we can truly learn — it's from each other. And so one thing that I will be doing a lot more often on this podcast is have guests that are listeners of the podcast, who are members of my online jazz courses so that we can listen and find out what's working well for them in their practice room, what's working well, the things that are making the highest impact in their jazz playing at the moment. And in general, getting to know them and their stories because I do believe that we can learn so much from each other's stories, so much from each other's experiences as jazz musicians, will help us all learn and grow together.
So, I have Bob Petix on the show today, who is an attorney, who is a bass player from Jackson, Wyoming, who is going to share with us today and we are going to learn a lot from him.
In this episode:
1. How Bob got started playing bass and jazz
2. Why Bob plays jazz and what keeps him motivated
3. What Bob is working on in the practice room and what is working best
4. I help Bob with an exercise he can work on for developing better time feel and longer lines
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:
Jazz Blues Accelerator (course mentioned in episode)
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!

3 Ways to Start Improvising Organically Jan 13, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode 201 of the LJS Podcast where today I talk about 3 ways to start improvising organically when you play jazz solos. A common problem I hear from subscribers is the struggle to let go of pre-meditating or thinking about what they need to play. It can be tough to let go, "forget" what you've been practicing, and just improvise freely. I share some simple ways you can start training yourself to do this better.View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode201Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/

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Podcast Listeners Share Their 2020 Jazz Goals (Celebration Episode) Dec 30, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to episode 200 of the LJS Podcast where today we celebrate the big 200 episode mile marker!
To do that, I have a lot of special guests today, you, the podcast listeners, to share your 2020 jazz and music goals. We go through each goal and I give some feedback. Get inspired and get ready to take action!
Important Links:
LJS Inner Circle Membership
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
View Show Notes

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

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