In this Fast Track Friday episode, Brent reveals the power of community in fostering long-term musical success. Drawing from his own unexpected journey as a newfound New York Rangers fan, he uncovers the transformative impact of shared interests and camaraderie in fueling passion and motivation. Brent illuminates the profound connection between community engagement and musical growth, highlighting the importance of finding support, inspiration, and belonging within a like-minded group of individ...
May 17, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 100
In this episode, Brent responds to a thought-provoking question from Peter Hakenan, a classically trained trumpet player seeking guidance on bridging music theory with improvisational prowess. Brent unravels the complexities of jazz improvisation, emphasizing the transformation of theoretical knowledge into musical expression. Through engaging examples and step-by-step guidance, Brent empowers aspiring improvisers to transcend scale-based thinking and embrace the creative freedom of musical expr...
May 16, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 99
In this episode, Brent explores the intricate art of jazz phrasing, responding to a query from Suze, an Inner Circle member seeking guidance on refining her improvisational skills. Brent elucidates the essence of jazz phrasing, emphasizing its rhythmic nuances and expressive elements that transcend mere note choices. By dissecting the rhythmic patterns and melodic contours of jazz standards, Brent empowers aspiring jazz musicians to internalize the language of jazz and develop their unique impro...
May 15, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 98
In this episode, Brent addresses an essential aspect of jazz improvisation raised by listener Keith Cramlinger: creating space in solos for a more melodic and musical expression. He shares practical insights and strategies to overcome common challenges faced by jazz players, whether it's developing longer musical phrases or avoiding overwhelming density in improvisations. Brent highlights the importance of mindfulness, imitation, and rhythmic variation in crafting engaging and dynamic solos. By ...
May 14, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 97
In this captivating episode, Brent explores the practical applications of Lydian and Lydian dominant scales in jazz improvisation, addressing a listener's query about using these scales effectively in soloing. Brent's clear explanations and musical examples demystify the Lydian scale's composition and its relationship to the major scale, making complex musical concepts accessible to listeners of all levels. Brent's emphasis on experimentation and creativity underscores the essence of jazz music....
May 13, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 96
In this Fast Track Friday episode, Brent introduces the concept of the "tune of greatness," a powerful strategy for mastering jazz tunes while deepening musical understanding. Drawing from the teachings of jazz mentor Justin Nielsen, Brent elucidates how practitioners can select a tune they love and use it as a canvas for musical exploration and growth. Brent offers practical advice for identifying an ideal "tune of greatness," emphasizing the importance of selecting a song that resonates deeply...
May 10, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 95
Join Brent today as he tackles a common query from Craig about infusing pentatonic and blues scales with a jazzy flair. He begins by dissecting the essence of jazziness, exploring techniques to elevate these foundational scales into sophisticated improvisational tools. Brent's insightful approach transcends mere scale manipulation, exploring the realm of musicality and language development within jazz improvisation. He encourages moving beyond rote scale patterns to embrace musical lines and lic...
May 09, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 94
In the latest episode, Brent addresses a pivotal query posed by Kevin Mummy: how to strike a balance between imitation and innovation in jazz practice. Brent underscores the importance of emulating jazz luminaries as a means of mastering the musical vernacular, advocating for techniques like solo transcription to absorb the language's nuances fully. By exploring improvisation and composition, he contends that practitioners can unlock avenues for personal expression, paving the way for originalit...
May 08, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 93
In this episode, Brent offers a comprehensive guide to essential jazz standards, answering a listener's question about the top 25 tunes every musician should know. With his extensive knowledge and infectious passion for jazz, Brent curates a diverse list that spans various styles and forms, from classic swing tunes to modal compositions and bossa nova classics. By breaking down each selection and highlighting its unique characteristics, Brent provides invaluable insights for aspiring jazz musici...
May 07, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 92
In this episode, Brent discusses the intricate world of jazz theory, tackling listener questions and demystifying the elusive Phrygian mode. With his signature enthusiasm and clarity, he guides listeners through the nuances of scale theory, shedding light on the practical applications of Phrygian in jazz improvisation. Brent's insightful explanations provide invaluable insights for jazz musicians at all levels, offering a roadmap for navigating complex harmonic landscapes with confidence and cre...
May 06, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 91
Join Brent on Fast Track Friday as he reflects on the week's themes and offers strategic advice for cultivating a mindset conducive to musical flow. In this enlightening episode, Brent explores the intricacies of achieving a state of effortless improvisation, drawing parallels between musical performance and everyday experiences. Through insightful anecdotes and practical tips, Brent explores the importance of relinquishing ego and embracing vulnerability to unlock the full potential of musical ...
May 03, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 90
Addressing a query from Patrick LeBlanc, this episode offers insightful tips from Brent on infusing quarter-note-based basslines with the infectious groove of swing. From emphasizing subdivisions to tastefully incorporating triplets, Brent provides practical strategies for enhancing the rhythmic vitality of basslines, catering to musicians of all levels seeking to elevate their jazz improvisation skills. Through engaging anecdotes and expert analysis, this episode illuminates the art of jazz bas...
May 02, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 89
In this episode, Brent addresses Joss Martin's question about the balance between improvising and thinking about chord progressions during a solo. He highlights the importance of preparation in achieving the ability to improvise without conscious thought, emphasizing the role of practice, learning standards, and analyzing chord progressions. Through practical examples and personal anecdotes, Brent explores the journey toward improvisational freedom, offering valuable strategies for developing a ...
May 01, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 88
In this episode, Kevin raises a query about comping on the piano, seeking clarification on placing the melody note within voicings. Brent breaks down the distinction between chord melody and melodic comping, emphasizing the importance of creating movement and melodies within accompaniment. Through practical examples and clear explanations, Brent gives guidance in enhancing comping skills, offering valuable insights for pianists, guitarists, and other comping instruments. Don't miss out on Brent'...
Apr 30, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 87
In this episode, Brent discusses the question of whether musicians should explore styles beyond jazz, particularly jamming with those who play country or rock. He emphasizes the immense value in venturing into diverse musical realms, citing the enrichment it brings to one's understanding of music as a whole. Brent encourages embracing musical exploration while recognizing the balance between mastering jazz and delving into other genres. He acknowledges the trade-offs involved, acknowledging that...
Apr 29, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 86
In this Fast Track Friday episode, Brent dives into the crucial topic of learning jazz solos by ear. Building upon previous discussions about jazz education and practice strategies, he explores the multifaceted benefits of mastering jazz language through ear training. He explains the purpose behind this practice, highlighting how it strengthens ear-to-instrument connection, enhances rhythm and time feel, and fosters a deep understanding of the language of jazz. Through engaging anecdotes and pra...
Apr 26, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 85
In this episode, Brent tackles a thought-provoking question from Kevin Pritchett about the balance between learning at different speeds and knowing when to move on. Through insightful commentary and practical advice, Brent navigates the complexities of musical learning, offering strategies for maximizing practice time and achieving musical goals effectively. Drawing on his experience as an educator and musician, Brent emphasizes the importance of understanding personal objectives and tailoring p...
Apr 25, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 84
In this episode, Brent talks about the nuances of jazz blues, responding to a listener's query about the differences between traditional 12-bar blues and its jazz counterpart. With clear explanations and musical demonstrations, he breaks down the chord progressions and structural variations characteristic of jazz blues, offering valuable insights for jazz musicians of all levels. From the basic 12-bar format to more complex evolutions like the bird blues, Brent provides a comprehensive overview ...
Apr 24, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 83
In this episode, Brent addresses a listener's question about soloing over modal tunes like "So What" or "Maiden Voyage." He breaks down the concept of modal jazz and offers practical advice for creating engaging improvisations over limited chord changes. By explaining the modal scales associated with each chord and emphasizing the importance of melody creation, he provides valuable insights for jazz musicians at all skill levels. Throughout the episode, Brent delves into the art of improvisation...
Apr 23, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 82
In this episode, Brent introduces a listener's question about classical violinists transitioning into jazz music. He highlights the challenges classical musicians face, particularly with improvisation, compared to their familiarity with sheet music interpretation. Brent breaks down the process of learning jazz for classical musicians by providing practical steps and insights. Throughout the episode, Brent emphasizes the importance of active engagement and experimentation in learning jazz. He enc...
Apr 22, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 81
In this Fast Track Friday episode of the Learn Jazz Standards podcast, Brent discusses the critical importance of finding joy and happiness as a musician. Drawing on personal experiences and insights, he explores the detrimental effects of self-doubt and dissatisfaction on musical growth and fulfillment. Through thought-provoking questions and practical suggestions, Brent invites listeners to explore the sources of happiness in their musical pursuits, whether through enjoyable practice routines,...
Apr 19, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 80
In this podcast episode, Brent discusses a fundamental music theory concept brought up by listener Andy Berry regarding the distinctions between scale tones and chord extensions. Brent equips listeners with a deeper understanding of how the elements of different chord extensions shape harmonic structures and contribute to the rich tapestry of jazz music. With his expert guidance, he shares insights on how to navigate the nuances between scale tones and chord extensions. Through engaging explanat...
Apr 18, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 79
In this episode, Brent addresses a common concern voiced by Cherie Vodica from Raleigh, North Carolina, about regaining confidence in playing with other musicians after spending a significant amount of time practicing alone, particularly due to the isolation brought on by the pandemic. Through insightful advice and practical strategies, Brent offers valuable guidance on overcoming self-doubt and preparing oneself for collaborative musical endeavors. With a blend of empathy and actionable advice,...
Apr 17, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 77
In this episode, Brent tackles an essential aspect of jazz theory: the minor 2-5-1 chord progression. Responding to a listener's inquiry, Brent provides a comprehensive breakdown of this foundational progression, elucidating its significance and outlining the various chord qualities and extensions commonly employed. By going into the mechanics of the minor 2-5-1 progression, Brent shares practical knowledge and actionable insights to enhance one's understanding of jazz theory and improvisation. ...
Apr 16, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 77
In this week's episode, Brent discusses a common struggle many musicians face: self-doubt. Through a poignant listener question, he addresses the pervasive nature of self-doubt and shares personal anecdotes, making it evident that even world-class musicians experience this phenomenon. Throughout the episode, Brent offers actionable insights and practical strategies for overcoming self-doubt. By reframing self-doubt as a natural part of the creative process, musicians can cultivate resilience and...
Apr 15, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 76
In this Fast Track Friday episode, Brent revisits the week's episodes and delves deeper into the theme of playing what you hear. He reflects on a recent question posed during one of the Inner Circle's live Q&A sessions, where a member sought advice on the best approach to improvisation. Drawing from personal experiences and expert insights, he navigates the complexities of auditory perception and instrumental fluency, offering listeners invaluable guidance on cultivating a holistic approach ...
Apr 12, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 75
In this episode, Brent discusses an intriguing question posed by listener Alan Kahn regarding the challenge of transitioning to a wind synthesizer from the trumpet and recapturing the ability to play by ear. Alan shares his previous experiences playing trumpet in various musical settings without extensive music theory knowledge, relying solely on his intuitive ability to improvise and captivate audiences. However, upon switching to the wind synthesizer and adapting to saxophone fingering, Alan f...
Apr 11, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 74
In this episode, Brent addresses a crucial question posed by listener Troy West about bridging the gap between auditory imagination and instrumental execution in jazz improvisation. He offers invaluable insights and practical exercises to enhance the connection between what musicians hear in their minds and what they play on their instruments. He begins by discussing the fundamentals of ear training, emphasizing the importance of interval and chord recognition as essential skills for strengtheni...
Apr 10, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 73
In this episode, Brent answers a thought-provoking question from listener Winfried Wilms about achieving a final version of improvisation. Through a captivating exploration, Brent unpacks the complexities of planning versus improvising in jazz solos. Drawing upon his extensive experience as a jazz musician and educator, he navigates the nuances of preparing for performances while maintaining the essence of improvisation. He emphasizes the importance of balancing structured practice with spontane...
Apr 09, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 72
In this week's episode, Brent delves into an intriguing question from listener Cliff Bryant: Which came first, the blues or jazz? Through a captivating exploration, Brent unravels the historical and musical connections between these two iconic genres. From the roots of the blues in African American culture to its profound influence on the birth of jazz in early 20th-century New Orleans, Brent paints a vivid picture of the interconnectedness between these musical traditions. Drawing upon his weal...
Apr 08, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 71
