Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Welcome to episode 46 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to make extra money from a jazz side hustle. A side hustle is any small business you do on the side from the full-time job that helps you make additional income. If you love jazz and have a passion for it, why not convert some of that to some pocket cash! Find out how. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Members...

Welcome to episode 45 of the LJS Podcast where today we are asking the question: Should I go to college for jazz? You may be a student in college or considering going to school for jazz. Or you may be a hobbyist interested in becoming a part-time student and furthering your jazz education. Regardless, this is an important topic to cover. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free...

Welcome to episode 44 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to 2X the results of your practice sessions. Quality practice is important for jazz improvement. We all know this, but we need to identify how to get the most out of the precious practice time we have. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the S...

Welcome to episode 43 of the LJS Podcast where today we are asking the question: why do we play jazz? It's the start of the year 2017, and it's always good to center ourselves and remind ourselves why we play the music we do. Podcast host Brent Vaartstra tells the story of his jazz journey. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Lear...

Welcome to episode 42 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to keep your jazz new years resolutions. 2017 is upon us, and like many others, we realize that we can treat it as a new chapter for our jazz playing. It's easy to make a resolution, but much harder to keep it. Find out how. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear...

Welcome to episode 41 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to become a better jazz musician just by listening to jazz. Listening is one of the most important things you can do, but not just any kind of listening. Find out what you should be focusing on when listening to jazz. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz...

Welcome to episode 40 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about an important jazz improvisation technique called enclosure, and how to use it. This is a great technique to help you conceptualize jazz language. Listen in! 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...

Welcome to episode 39 of the LJS Podcast where today we sit down to talk to a jazz master you've probably never heard of before. Meet Don Hahn, a trumpeter, and flugelhornist who has played with the likes of Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, and many others. Don talks about his life and the way he thinks about music. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn stan...

Welcome to episode 38 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 5 questions to ask yourself during your jazz gigs. These are questions to ask before and during your gigs that will help set you up for success. Listen in! 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...

Welcome to episode 37 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to tell stories with your jazz solos. If you think about it, some of the best solos out there tell captivating stories. Each phrase has a trajectory, and we want to learn how to do this. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Learn...

Welcome to episode 36 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 14 practicing ideas for jazz musicians. If you need some help with what you should be practicing as a jazz musician, or just need something new, this is a good episode for you. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Learn Jazz Standards...

Welcome to episode 35 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how mastering tempo and rhythm can transform your jazz playing. Oftentimes, non-percussion instrumentalists don't pay enough attention to these things, and it shows. Today's special guest, professional drummer Diego Maldonado, walks us through how to do this. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership...

Welcome to episode 34 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how playing gigs for free is destroying the music economy. It may seem harmless. It may be that musicians who play for free just want to get some playing time. But consider the consequences. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Learn...

Welcome to episode 33 of the LJS Podcast where today we are taking a look at two jazz icons, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, and asking the question: What made them great. Was it talent? Was it a lot of practice? Or is there something more to it? Listen in. Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Learn Jazz Standards I...

Welcome to episode 32 of the LJS Podcast where today podcast host Brent Vaartstra talks about music advice he wishes someone had told him from the beginning. This advice is ultimately about being the best musician you have the potential to be. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Learn Jazz Standards Inner...

Welcome to episode 31 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about ear training for jazz musicians. Having a solid, well-rounded ear is one of the most important things a jazz musician can have. Great ears are essential for improvisation, and so ear training needs to be at the forefront of jazz musicians' studies. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to le...

Welcome to episode 30 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 5 jazz solos you should learn and why. Learning jazz solos by ear is a practice that all jazz musicians should be doing and is incredibly important for becoming better jazz musicians. If you are having trouble finding good solos to learn, these are definitely some to consider. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Mem...

Welcome to episode 29 of the LJS Podcast where today we are introducing Jazz Challenge #4 of our 4 part series of jazz challenges. These challenges will be leading up to the release of our first eCourse 30 Days to Better Jazz Playing in October 2016. Today’s challenge is to learn a new jazz lick. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Ja...

Welcome to episode 28 of the LJS Podcast where today we are introducing Jazz Challenge #3 of a 4 part series of jazz challenges. These challenges will be leading up to the release of our first eCourse 30 Days to Better Jazz Playing in October 2016. Today’s challenge is to write your own jazz solo. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn J...

Welcome to episode 27 of the LJS Podcast where today we are introducing Jazz Challenge #2 of a 4 part series of jazz challenges. These challenges will be leading up to the release of our first eCourse 30 Days to Better Jazz Playing in October 2016. Today's challenge is to practice the blues in all 12 keys. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards b...

Welcome to episode 26 of the LJS Podcast where today we are introducing Jazz Challenge #1 of a 4 part series of jazz challenges. These challenges will be leading up to the release of our first eCourse 30 Days to Better Jazz Playing in October 2016. Today's challenge is to write your own contrafact. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: L...

Welcome to episode 25 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 4 fears that jazz musicians face and how to overcome them. Jazz musicians (and musicians in general) tend to be especially hard on themselves. They are constantly upset with their playing and worried about what others think about them. It's time to overcome these fears. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membe...

Welcome to episode 24 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about why jazz is unpopular and what we can do about it. According to Nielsen's 2014 Year-End Report, jazz is one of the most unpopular genres of music in the United States. In this episode, we take a closer look at these details, try to figure out why, ask some questions, and reflect on what we can do about it. Listen in! Im...

Welcome to episode 23 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about some gig etiquette 101. These are some really helpful tips for acting professionally, keeping your gig, and setting it up for success. We point out some classic mistakes musicians make during the gig and more. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards t...

Welcome to episode 22 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to play at fast tempos and not get burned. Up tempos tunes are something that all jazz musicians must confront, and we've all been burned by them before! In this episode, we go over some tips for playing fast tempos and how we can start getting better control over them. Listen in! Important Links: LJS Inner Circle M...