Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

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 ro...

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...

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...

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...

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 c...

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 wa...

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 hard...

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...

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...

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 t...

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...

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/ep...

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...

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. Impo...

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 Me...

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 I...

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 ne...

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 impr...

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...

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...

Welcome to episode 199 of the LJS Podcast where today we take a look back on 2019. A lot of really great stuff happened with Learn Jazz Standards in 2019 and I go over some of the big mile markers, as well as the top 5 downloaded episodes of the year. I also share my favorite episodes and a sneak peek into what's coming next year. Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to lea...

Welcome to episode 198 of the LJS Podcast where I go over my 3 step process for learning to hear chords. Being able to hear different chord qualities is important for being able to hear chord progressions, which of course is important for learning jazz standards. It's also important for our improvisation as well, so I show you a great method for training your ears to hear any chord. Important...

Welcome to episode 197 of the LJS Podcast where I have my good buddies drummer Diego Maldonado and bassist Wallace Stelzer over to the studio to hang out and geek out on jazz. This is a fun episode full of jazz nerdery, music philosophy, a little bit of alcohol, NYC's best cookies, and some shenanigans. Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn J...

Welcome to episode 196 of the LJS Podcast where today I go over jazz practice plan #2, the last in a series of 2 episodes. This practice plan is called the Recycling Jazz Practice Plan which is having a powerful effect on my Jazz Blues Accelerator course students, which is based on this framework. Learn how this practice plan works and how to start taking action. View Show Notes: https://www.learn...

Welcome to episode 195 of the LJS Podcast where today I go over a jazz practice plan in a series of two episodes we'll be going through. This practice plan is called the Stair Step Practice Plan, and this has been highly effective for students in my 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing course, which uses this exact framework. Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standar...