In this Fast Track Friday episode, Brent dives into the intricacies of crafting an effective set list for jazz gigs. With a keen focus on maintaining energy levels and providing variety, he will walk you through an eight-song set list example, offering valuable insights into song selection and sequencing. From upbeat tunes like "My Shining Hour" to soulful ballads like "Misty," each song choice is carefully explained in terms of its impact on the overall vibe and flow of the performance. Brent's...
Apr 05, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 70
In this engaging episode, Brent tackles a fascinating question posed by Tiago Leyte about contrafacts and their role in jazz improvisation. Explaining the concept of contrafacts as new melodies crafted over existing chord progressions, Brent shares the benefits of exploring and composing these musical variations. Drawing on examples like rhythm changes and the classic contrafact "Oleo" by Sonny Rollins, he demonstrates how creating original counter-effects can enhance improvisational skills by f...
Apr 04, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 69
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards podcast, Brent addresses a fundamental question posed by Philip Sorge: What distinguishes a beginner jazz soloist from a master jazz soloist? Exploring the differences in mindset and approach, Brent touches on how beginners often rely on scales and patterns, while seasoned improvisers prioritize spontaneity and a deep connection between ear and instrument. Highlighting the journey from mechanical execution to expressive improvisation, he offers insight...
Apr 03, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 68
In this insightful episode, Brent offers valuable insights on crafting the perfect setlist for jazz gigs, drawing from his extensive experience as a seasoned musician. Beginning with the importance of understanding one's role in performance, he discusses tailoring the setlist to suit different venues and atmospheres, whether it be background music for an upscale restaurant or energizing tunes for a lively bar setting. He shares a structured approach and practical advice that contributes to a coh...
Apr 02, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 67
In this captivating episode, Brent explores the intricacies of rhythm and syncopation, offering invaluable insights and practical exercises to enhance your musical prowess. Through a listener's inquiry about improving left-hand steadiness while navigating syncopated rhythms in the right hand, Brent expertly breaks down fundamental rhythmic concepts, guiding through various subdivisions and metronome exercises to strengthen their rhythmic foundation. With clear explanations and relatable examples...
Apr 01, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 66
In this Fast Track Friday episode, Brent shares a candid and humorous account of his most embarrassing moment playing jazz, offering valuable insights and lessons learned from the experience. Through this relatable anecdote, he underscores the importance of rhythm and time feel in jazz improvisation, emphasizing that impeccable note choices and musical knowledge can be overshadowed by deficiencies in rhythmic proficiency. Drawing from his own journey of improvement, Brent provides practical tips...
Mar 29, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 65
In this episode, Brent explores the foundational elements of jazz improvisation, answering a compelling question posed by Martin Kendall: Can we establish globally applicable first three steps to jazz improvisation basics? With his trademark enthusiasm and expertise, Brent introduces the concept of the "three pillars of jazz improvisation," offering a comprehensive roadmap to enhance improvisational skills, regardless of whatever instrument one plays. Through engaging examples and insightful com...
Mar 28, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 64
In this episode, Brent addresses a common concern among jazz musicians: how to effectively internalize and recall jazz licks and patterns for improvisation. Through engaging dialogue and insightful guidance, Brent unveils a transformative approach to learning and incorporating musical vocabulary into one's playing. Drawing from his own experiences and the questions posed by Alain Londes, Brent challenges conventional wisdom, emphasizing that the goal isn't simply to memorize endless licks but ra...
Mar 27, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 63
In this episode, Brent discusses about the challenging realm of improvisation over John Coltrane's "Giant Steps." With a captivating blend of humor and expertise, he tackles Jeremy's question head-on, exploring strategies to navigate the complexities of this legendary jazz standard. From unraveling the intricate chord progressions to dissecting Coltrane's improvisational techniques, Brent offers invaluable insights aimed at demystifying the daunting task of soloing over "Giant Steps." Brent emph...
Mar 26, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 62
In this episode, Brent addresses a question from an Inner Circle member about quartal voicings and their application in chord progressions. Brent breaks down the concept, explaining how they differ from traditional chord voicings by being stacked in fourths rather than thirds. He explores their versatility, emphasizing their common use in modal playing and how they can enhance chord progressions, even in traditional diatonic harmony settings like two-five-one progressions. Throughout the episode...
Mar 25, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Join Brent on another exciting episode for a deep dive into jazz solos worth learning. In this special Fast Track Friday edition, he reflects on the week's episodes and shares invaluable insights into the art of storytelling through jazz improvisation. From Miles Davis's iconic solo on "So What" to Chet Baker's emotive vocal solo on "It Could Happen To You," Brent highlights 10 captivating solos that offer valuable lessons in jazz language and storytelling. Discover the melodic richness of Miles...
Mar 22, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Don't miss today's podcast where Brent answers a question by Anthony, a seasoned music educator who poses a thought-provoking question about developing the ability to create narrative-driven solos rather than relying on pre-learned licks. Brent dives deep into this topic, offering actionable strategies to help musicians of all levels infuse their improvisations with compelling storytelling. From composing your own solos to playing free and practicing motivic development, he provides invaluable i...
Mar 21, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 59
Get ready to unlock the secrets of jazz learning tools and software with Brent on the latest episode of the Learn Jazz Standards podcast. Caitlin, an Inner Circle member, poses a question that resonates with all jazz enthusiasts: What software and tools are helpful for learning and practicing jazz? Brent dives deep into this topic, providing valuable insights and recommendations for musicians of all levels. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to enhance your learning experience...
Mar 20, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 58
In this episode, Brent explores the world of jazz voicings. Phil, an Inner Circle member, poses a thought-provoking question about drop two voicings and their relevance across different instruments, sparking an insightful discussion. Brent breaks down the concept of drop two voicings and their practical applications, not only for guitarists but also for horn and piano players. Through clear explanations and musical demonstrations, he reveals how drop two voicings can enhance harmony, create melo...
Mar 19, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 57
In this episode, Brent explores the intricacies of resolving licks and lines on chord tones, shedding light on why certain resolutions are more effective than others. Drawing from a listener's question about chord resolutions, he breaks down the importance of targeting specific chord tones like the third and fifth, rather than solely relying on the root note. Through insightful explanations and musical demonstrations, Brent gives guides on how to incorporate these techniques into actual playing,...
Mar 18, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 56
In this episode, Brent reflects on the theme of motivation in practicing, an aspect crucial for sustained improvement and progress in jazz and music. With insightful commentary drawn from the experiences of Inner Circle members, he explores the various strategies to stay motivated and inspired on the musical journey. From cultivating a supportive community to setting performance goals and embracing quality education resources, Brent offers a holistic approach to keeping the fire alive in your pr...
Mar 15, 2024•15 min•Season 2Ep. 55
In this episode, Brent answers an intriguing question posed by Ben Collis about playing pianistically, a topic relevant to musicians of all instruments, not just pianists. Brent unravels the concept of playing pianistically, focusing on chord voicings and voice-leading techniques that can enhance musicianship across the board. With insightful commentary and practical examples, he breaks down the essence of pianistic playing, offering valuable insights into chord voicings, voice leading, and the ...
Mar 14, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 54
In this episode, Brent tackles a common query from Inner Circle member James Abrams: How do you know when you've truly mastered a jazz tune and it's performance-ready? Through insightful commentary and personal anecdotes, Brent dives deep into the nuanced psychology of performance readiness, offering a wealth of practical advice for aspiring jazz musicians. He challenges the notion of ever feeling fully prepared for performance while providing a roadmap for achieving a level of readiness that in...
Mar 13, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 53
In this episode, Brent answers a thought-provoking question posed by an Inner Circle member, Aaron Albrecht: Should musicians consider learning a second instrument to enhance their jazz playing? Brent navigates the complexities of this inquiry by exploring the pros and cons, offering invaluable insights to listeners grappling with similar decisions. Through personal anecdotes and practical analysis, Brent illuminates the potential benefits of diversifying one's musical skill set while also ackno...
Mar 13, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 52
In this week's episode, Brent addresses one of the most common challenges faced by jazz musicians: staying within the form while improvising. Through an insightful listener question, Brent explores practical strategies to overcome this hurdle, emphasizing the importance of preparation and developing a strong sense of rhythm and time. Valuable insights and actionable advice are discussed, as Brent points out the significance of thorough song preparation. He also shares effective practice techniqu...
Mar 11, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 51
In this insightful Fast Track Friday episode, Brent discusses the critical topic of preparing for jazz performances, whether it's a gig, a jam session, or any other musical engagement. Reflecting on the themes covered throughout the week, Brent emphasizes the importance of preparation in reducing stage fright, allowing licks to flow organically in solos and mastering jazz jam session etiquette. With a focus on practical strategies, Brent offers a roadmap to navigate the complexities of musical p...
Mar 08, 2024•15 min•Season 2Ep. 50
In this episode, Brent tackles a common concern for jazz musicians: jam session etiquette. Delving into a question from Monnie Murray about the appropriate duration of solos in a jam session, Brent offers insightful advice for navigating these musical gatherings with confidence and respect. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, to familiarize oneself with the repertoire of jazz standards likely to be played at the session. Drawing from his own experiences and observations, he provides a c...
Mar 07, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 49
In this episode, Brent explores a topic that resonates with every musician: stage fright. With a blend of personal anecdotes and professional advice, Brent navigates the multifaceted nature of performance anxiety, addressing both the fear of playing in front of audiences and the anxiety of performing in front of fellow musicians. Drawing from his own experiences and insights from mental health professionals, he offers practical strategies for managing stage fright, from deep breathing exercises ...
Mar 06, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 48
In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards podcast, Brent tackles a common question: How can jazz musicians seamlessly integrate learned licks into their solos? He breaks down the purpose of learning licks as a means of understanding the jazz language and offers practical strategies for internalizing them effectively. Through insightful analogies and step-by-step guidance, Brent emphasizes the importance of ear training and repetition in mastering jazz vocabulary. By exploring variations and cr...
Mar 05, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 47
In this episode, Brent dives into a thought-provoking question: Is it necessary to read sheet music to learn jazz? Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, Brent explores the role of sheet music in jazz education and highlights the importance of ear training in mastering the genre. He navigates the nuances of learning music by ear versus reading notation, offering valuable insights for aspiring jazz musicians. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting your jazz journey, this ep...
Mar 04, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 46
In this Fast Track Friday episode of the Learn Jazz Standards podcast, Brent reflects on the week's discussions, focusing on the theme of turning theory into practical musical expression through improvisation. He introduces composition as a powerful tool for jazz musicians to internalize musical language and develop their improvisational skills. By likening composition to slowed-down improvisation, Brent underscores its role in facilitating the creative process and fostering musical growth. He e...
Mar 01, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 45
In this episode, Brent addresses a question from Jeff, a tenor saxophonist seeking advice on improvisation. Jeff describes himself as a "grinder" who takes time to develop musical ideas for jazz standards, often playing them similarly each time. Brent explains how improvisation is similar to a natural conversation, where familiar phrases and expressions are woven into spontaneous dialogue. He emphasizes the importance of preparation in becoming a proficient improviser, highlighting techniques, i...
Feb 29, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 44
In this episode, Brent tackles a question from an inner circle member named Paul about determining the correct melody when faced with various interpretations of jazz standards. He emphasizes the importance of learning melodies by ear rather than solely relying on sheet music, as it enhances ear training and allows for a deeper understanding of musical expression. He provides valuable insights into identifying the true melody of a jazz standard, suggesting that for Great American Songbook tunes, ...
Feb 28, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 43
In this episode, Brent addresses a question from Chris Hercules about improvising with triads. He begins by explaining the concept of harmonizing triads within a diatonic context. Brent breaks down how different triads can be derived from the scale, providing insights into understanding and utilizing triads effectively. He then introduces the concept of triad pairs, which involves using two triads generated from a diatonic scale to improvise. He demonstrates how triad pairs can be applied in imp...
Feb 27, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 42
In this week's episode, Brent answers an intriguing question posed by a podcast listener about using diminished arpeggios over dominant seventh chords. He breaks down the theory behind this concept, explaining how diminished arpeggios can enhance improvisation and add tension and resolution to playing. He demonstrates how to apply this knowledge practically to create exciting new sounds. By exploring the relationship between diminished arpeggios and dominant seventh chords, Brent provides valuab...
Feb 26, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 41
