Welcome to episode 331 where today I answer the top questions I get asked about playing jazz. These questions come straight from my Monthly Jazz Mastermind Q&A sessions I have with our Inner Circle members, and are the most common ones that come up time and time again. See if you have any of these questions as well! In this episode: 1. How do you know what the melody is to a jazz standard when the melody is played differently? 2. How do you know what the chord changes are to a jazz standard ...
Mar 07, 2022•51 min
I'm about to show you a powerful 3-step process for how to get jazz licks to come out naturally and effortlessly in your solos. In this episode: 1. Intro 2. Learn this "L" first 3. Do not skip this "C" 4. "I" is for reacting! 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!...
Mar 04, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 330
Welcome to episode 329 where today I talk about 3 mindsets that helped me start enjoying music more. It's a strange thing when something you used to enjoy doing a lot starts to lose its appeal for a variety of different reasons. For me, it always comes down to mindset, and I share a few that have really helped me continue to have fun playing music. In this episode: 1. How skiing taught me non-judgemental curiosity 2. How installing closet systems taught me patience during a challenge 3. How cook...
Feb 28, 2022•43 min
Welcome to episode 327 where today I talk about how to effectively practice improvising. Often on this show we talk about tactics for learning how to play great jazz language, like learning jazz solos. But we also need to actually practice improvising. So how do we do this effectively other than just doing it? That's exactly what you'll learn. In this episode: 1. Why practicing improvising is different from improvisation tactics 2. Batching your improvising 3. Importance of slow practice 4. The ...
Feb 21, 2022•28 min
Welcome to episode 325 where today I dive into the controversial question of whether or not it's a good idea to learn jazz by reading music notation. Many musicians feel comfortable reading music but have heard that jazz is best learned by ear. I dive into my philosophy and why the answer to this question isn't so cut and dry. Main Points: 1. How my philosophy has changed over the years 2. The benefits of learning by ear 3. The benefits of reading notation to learn jazz 4. My philosophy on learn...
Feb 14, 2022•31 min
So how can you play jazz standards at jam sessions and gigs even if you've never heard them before? Well, today I'm sharing with you my top tips for recognizing chord progressions. In this episode: 1. Intro 2. Tip #1 - Start understanding and getting familiar with these. 3. Tip #2 - Learn as many of these as possible! 4. Tip #3 - Not much in the ear realm. 5. Tip #4 - Get into the trenches and do the dirty work. 6. Tip #5 - This could help you if you're really not good at hearing chord qualities...
Feb 11, 2022•13 min
Welcome to this special bonus episode where today I talk about our new Rhythm Changes Accelerator course we just released in our Inner Circle membership. Learn why learning rhythm changes is so powerful and how to master this important song form. Important Links: Get Access to Rhythm Changes Accelerator with LJS Inner Circle Membership Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!...
Feb 10, 2022•18 min
Welcome to episode 323 where today I answer the question of what you should practice if you don't have very much time to practice. It's common for us to be time-poor when it comes to spending time improving our jazz skills. So what are the high-level activities we can work on, and how should we do them? This episode will help. Main Points: 1. Debunking the false narrative that you need to practice a lot 2. The #1 activity I recommend practicing 3. Examples of how to work backwards from your prac...
Feb 07, 2022•22 min
So what are some great jazz standards to learn for playing jazz gigs? Well, today I'm gonna go over 8 jazz standards you need to know. In this episode: 1. A tune with a little bit more energy, swinging, and a lot of fun. 2. A more minor and bluesy kind of tune. 3. A little more introspective and a little bit different. 4. An up-tempo tune you should have in every jazz gig. 5. Every single gig should also have a ballad, like this one. 6. A medium-tempo tune 7. A modal tune 8. A high-energy blues ...
Feb 04, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 322
Welcome to episode 321 where I compose a jazz tune on the podcast. I put myself on the spot and rely on those creative juices to flow. You'll get a real-time look at how I compose, think about chord progressions, and even hear me improvise over my new tune for the first time. Main Points: 1. I compose a jazz tune from scratch Important Links: Show Notes LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% ...
Jan 31, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 321
So what are some practice hacks that can help you improve exponentially faster and not waste your precious practice time? Well, today I'm gonna share with you 5 you've probably never heard of before. In this episode: 1. The Pareto Principle 2. The 5 Filters 3. Filter #1- Goal Setting 4. Filter #2 - Know the 3 Pillars of Jazz Improvisation 5. Filter #3 - What Has Pizza Got to Do With This? 6. Filter #4 - The Fun Filter 7. Filter #5 - What is the LRC Practice Strategy Method? Important Links: LJS ...
Jan 28, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 320
Show DescriptionWelcome to episode 319 where today I go over a common frustration many have which is feeling like their jazz improvisation is not improving, even if they are doing all of the right things. I go over some questions to ask yourself as well as some possible solutions to help bridge the gap. Main Points: 1. The things you should be practicing as a jazz musician 2. Memorizing vs. not memorizing 3. Composing your own solos and lines 4. Managing expectations 5. Why practicing in differe...
Jan 24, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 319
So how can you start playing amazing jazz solos using jazz chords to your full advantage? Well, today I'm gonna show you 3 levels to do exactly that. In this episode: 1. Level 1 - Start playing this instead of scales. 2. Level 2 - How to creatively resolve these tones in your lines. 3. Level 3 - Combining Level 1 and 2 and figuring out different ways that you can resolve to them. Important Links: Show Notes Get Tickets to Learn Jazz Live 2022 Virtual Summit LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide...
Jan 21, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 318
So what jazz standards can you get super bluesy in your jazz solos? Well, today I'm gonna teach you 4 of those tunes that you need to know. In this episode: 1. Intro 2. Jazz Standard #1 3. Jazz Standard #2 4. Jazz Standard #3 5. Jazz Standard #4 Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast Get our Amazon Best Selling book Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first mo...
Jan 14, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 316
Welcome to episode 315 where today I walk us through a harmonic analysis of a bebop jazz standard. Analyzing the function of harmony within jazz standards is a great practice that can help you understand them better. You'll learn some amazing lessons from this jazz standard. Main Points: 1. Benefits of analyzing jazz standards 2. Analyzing Yardbird Suite 3. Backdoor dominants 4. Secondary dominants 5. Deceptive cadences Important Links: Show Notes LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn ...
Jan 11, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 315
So how do you learn jazz solos by ear without sheet music so you can start improving your jazz improv exponentially? Well, today I'm sharing with you my full-step process for doing exactly that. In this episode: 1. Intro 2. Two Things You Need To Become A Better Jazz Improviser 3. The L.I.S.T. Process for Learning Jazz Solos by Ear 4. Step #1: The L 5. Step #2: The I 6. Step #3: The S 7. Step #4: The T 8. What Is "Batching"? (Highly recommended) 9. The Bonus Step Important Links : 1. Subscribe t...
Jan 10, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 314
Welcome to episode 313 where today I talk about the state of Learn Jazz Standards, where things stand today, and what we are doing in 2022. This is a fun, different kind of episode to kick off the year to help fill you in on all of the exciting things to come. Main Points: 1. The future of the podcast 2. The future of the blog/website 3. The future of the YouTube channel 4. The future of the LJS Inner Circle membership ***Important Links*** Show Notes LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to le...
Jan 03, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 313
Welcome to episode 312 where today I talk about how to do a self-audit of your jazz playing. Auditing your playing can be really valuable for honing in on the things you are good at and bad at so you can make action plans to hone in on them. I do a jazz audit on myself and walk you through my process. The New Year is around the corner, and what I want you to realize is that the things that got you to where you are now in your jazz playing are not necessarily the things that will get you to where...
Dec 28, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 312
A huge mistake that many jazz players are making is not utilizing rhythm. So today I'm going to show you 3 common jazz rhythms and how to use them in your solos. In this episode: 1. Jazz Rhythm #1 2. Jazz Rhythm #2 3. Jazz Rhythm #3 4. Rhythmic Motif Exercise 5. Adding Pitches to Exercise Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast Get our Amazon Best Selling book Learn Jazz Stand...
Dec 23, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 311
Welcome to episode 310 where today I talk about all of the gear I use to play, teach and practice jazz. I go over everything from microphones, amps, guitars, cameras, audio interfaces, and software. I talk about what they are, how I use them, and what I would recommend for you. Today on the podcast we are talking about gear - the gear I use for playing jazz, teaching jazz, and practicing jazz.I'll be covering the cameras I use, the microphones I use, the guitar and amplifiers I use, and a host o...
Dec 20, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 310
Are you making any of these three critical mistakes when learning jazz? Well, today I'm gonna show you exactly what they are, how to avoid them, and what to do instead. In this episode: 1. Mistake #1 2. Master This For Better Improvisation Skills 3. Mistake #2 4. How To Be More Creative With Your Own Licks 5. Mistake #3 6. How To Gain Freedom From Music Scores 7. The Best Way To Learn Jazz Standards Important Links: 1. Subscribe to the Podcast - Apple Podcasts - Spotify 2. LJS Inner Circle Membe...
Dec 17, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 309
Welcome to episode 308 where today I talk about why the mindset of needing to practice a lot to improve as a jazz musician is potentially a toxic mindset. I go through 3 reasons why practicing less can actually have a much higher impact on your jazz playing. There have been a lot of regrets that I've had during my journey to becoming a better jazz musician. There are a lot of moments I look back at where I see I caused myself lots of unnecessary pain and suffering. When I think of one of the mor...
Dec 13, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 308
So how do piano and guitar players learn to comp like jazz pros? Today I'm going to show you 3 things you need to be practicing in order to get there. In this episode: 1. Definition of Comping 2. Comping Tip #1 3. What are Inversions? 4. Comping Tip #2 5. Ascending Off Beat Exercise 6. Comping Tip #3 7. My #1 Tip for Improving Comping Important Links: 1. Subscribe to the Podcast - Apple Podcasts - Spotify 2. LJS Inner Circle Membership 3. Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standard...
Dec 11, 2021•13 min•Season 1Ep. 307
Welcome to episode 306 where today I talk about a 5-step process to help you get "un-stuck" in your jazz playing. Most of us completely resonate with the experience of being stuck on a musical plateau. It can be frustrating and feel like there's not a way out. But in this episode, you'll get a sure-fire process for moving forward. I find that a lot of musicians that come to me for help are feeling stuck in their jazz playing. They are on the dreaded musical plateau, in the desert, and they can't...
Dec 06, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 306
So how do we go from beginner jazz player, to intermediate, and even advanced? Well, today I'm going to show you exactly how to level up your jazz playing. In this episode: 1. Level #1 Complete Jazz Beginner 2. Level #2 Jazz Beginner 3. Level #3 Jazz Intermediate 4. Level #4 Jazz Advanced 5. #1 Tip for Leveling Up Your Jazz Playing Important Links: 1. Subscribe to the Podcast - Apple Podcasts - Spotify 2. LJS Inner Circle Membership 3. Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards t...
Dec 03, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 305
Welcome to episode 304 where today I talk about 5 personality traits that some of my most successful students possess. There are certain members of my Inner Circle community and course students that I see improve faster than everyone else. When I take a deeper look, these general traits they have tend to give them the upper hand. Learn what they are and how you can embrace them. Main Points: 1. Resilience to Failure 2. Willing to Change (coachable) 3. Longterm Mindsets 4. Focused5. Transparent w...
Nov 27, 2021•30 min•Season 1Ep. 304
So you get up to play a song at the jam session and you're terrified, sweaty, and nervous. You just don't feel good. You're afraid you're gonna mess up, screw up, and embarrass yourself. In this video, we will talk about how to get over performance anxiety so we feel confident and fearless. In this episode: 1. Intro 2. Overcoming Jazz Performance Anxiety Tip #1 3. Overcoming Jazz Performance Anxiety Tip #2 4. Overcoming Jazz Performance Anxiety Tip #3 5. Overcoming Jazz Performance Anxiety Tip #...
Nov 26, 2021•12 min
Welcome to episode 302 where today I walk you through an in-depth process for how to learn chord progressions by ear. For some learning any music by ear is difficult, but when it comes to hearing chords and chord progressions, it can be even more challenging. You'll learn some tips to make it easier and a step-by-step process for how to get started. Main Points: 1. Using backing tracks instead of recordings 2. Using a slow-downer to make things easier 3. Step 1: The Bass Notes 4. Step 2: The Cho...
Nov 22, 2021•43 min
There are some jazz standards that are so commonly called the jam sessions that you cannot get away with not knowing them. So, today I'm going to go over ten jazz standards from beginner to advanced. In this episode: 1. Jazz Standard # 1 2. Jazz Standard # 2 3. Jazz Standard # 3 4. Jazz Standard # 4 5. Jazz Standard # 5 6. Jazz Standard #6 7. Jazz Standard # 7 8. Jazz Standard # 8 9. Jazz Standard # 9 10. Jazz Standard #10 Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standard...
Nov 19, 2021•14 min
Welcome to episode 300 where today we're celebrating this huge milestone of the podcast with two very special guests, both members of team LJS - Brett Pontecorvo and Justin Kellerer. We recorded this episode live for our Inner Circle members and go behind the scenes and reveal the history of LJS and how it works.Listen to episode 300Learn Jazz Standards started back in 2010 as a simple blog. Today it's something much bigger and different, and it's been quite a ride. Looking back over the years i...
Nov 15, 2021•1 hr 18 min
