Get help with practicing jazz – Learn Jazz Standards: Recent Episodes
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In this episode, Michael, a piano player, asks how to efficiently allocate practice time to various topics like scales, voicings, improvisation, and more. Brent emphasizes the importance of focusing on the 20% of practice that yields 80% of the results, advising musicians to prioritize practicing what ails them the most or where they have the […]
The post How Do I Know What To Practice? appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
In this episode, Brent explores a crucial topic: the practice engine. He highlights the importance of mastering the art of practicing, explaining that it’s not just about following routines but treating practice as a skill in itself. This approach, he emphasizes, differentiates amateur musicians from advanced players and is essential for significant progress in jazz […]
The post The Importance of Your Practice Engine appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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 […]
The post How to Stay Motivated to Practice appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
In this episode, Brent answers a question from Kevin, an Inner Circle member. This time, the spotlight is on a dilemma many players face: how much should you practice, and when does the time come to ease up? Brent shares insights into the effectiveness of consistent, strategic, and enjoyable practice, emphasizing quality over quantity. Is […]
The post How Much Do I Need to Practice to Get Great At Jazz? appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Brent discusses the role of metronomes in jazz practice, responding to a question about the pulse metronome. He emphasizes that metronomes help develop internal time and a steady time feel. Suggesting online metronomes, he provides exercises for flexibility in time feel. Brent underscores the value of playing with recordings and adapting to different tempos, urging […]
The post Which Metronomes Are Good For Jazz? appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
In this podcast episode, Brent talks about adopting the Batch Practice Method to improve jazz skills. and outlines a simple but focused approach to achieve measurable progress by breaking learning goals into small, manageable batches to master over multiple practice sessions before moving on incrementally. Key steps include defining a concrete overall project like learning […]
The post The Batch Practice Method for Jazz appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Do you ever get that feeling when you’re looking at your instrument sitting there in the corner and you just don’t feel like picking it up? It’s kind of a strange feeling because deep inside you’re excited about music and jazz and you want to improve and you know you have that idea of practicing […]
The post 5 Ways to Make Practice Not Boring appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
So you’ve probably heard the advice before that learning material in All 12 Keys is a great idea, whether it be for the sake of playing jazz or any other style of music. You’ve probably heard this conventional wisdom before and wondered to yourself is it really worth my practice time to learn things in […]
The post The Pros and Cons of Practicing In All 12 Keys appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
I hear from a lot of you that a big goal is to play at a public jazz jam session. But there may be some barriers, either in your mind or your actual playing ability that is stopping you from actually doing that. So, how do you prepare to play at jazz jam sessions and […]
The post From The Vault: How to Prepare to Play at Jazz Jam Sessions appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
One of my jazz mentors once said that the secret that pro-level jazz musicians have, some of the best jazz musicians in the world, is they’ve mastered the art of practicing. In fact, he went on to say that, pro jazz musicians spend just as much time fine-tuning their actual practice as they do their […]
The post Fine Tuning Your Jazz Playing with P.B.R. Practice appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Today, we’re talking about the 6 lies of jazz success. Things that you’ve probably heard before are good things, but it turns out they actually aren’t and could be holding you back from reaching your goals in your jazz playing, and becoming the musician that you want to be. So, let’s get ready to do […]
The post The 6 Lies of Jazz Success appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Alright, my friends, today’s episode is going to be a bit cringy for me, but I’m going to do it anyways. We’re going to be back to episode 1 of the Learn Jazz Standards podcast and it was called 4 Habits for Better Practicing. And I’m going to look through those 4 habits, that advice […]
Have you ever heard of “binge practicing” before? So, binge practicing is kind of what it sounds like, it’s where you are practicing for large amounts at a time. And you can also binge practice often, so you are binge practicing frequently. It’s kind of like binge-watching Netflix. It’s like you watch 5 hours one […]
Have you been told any of these 10 mistruths about jazz? If so, you may have started believing things that are ultimately not helping you improve as a jazz player. Listen to episode 382 In this episode:1. Mistruth #1: If you can hear it, then you can play it.2. Mistruth #2: You don’t need to […]
The post Quick Win: 10 Biggest Lies About Playing Jazz appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Today, on the podcast, I”m gonna be talking about an important concept that I call, “The Practicing Snowball”. “The Practicing Snowball” is something that’s going to leave you feeling super encouraged, I believe, by the end of this episode. And it’s going to show you how the compounding effects of your practice really come into […]
The post The Practicing Snowball for Multiplying Your Musical Results appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
One thing that attracts musicians to jazz is the fact that the possibilities are endless. Like, when it comes to improvisation, really, there are so many different avenues to explore, so many different things you can play and after listening to some of the greatest jazz musicians in the world, you realize there’s a massive […]
The post Using “Restrictive Practicing” to Improve Your Jazz Solos appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Are you trying to get back “into shape” after being off of playing for a while? In today’s episode, I will be sharing some tips on how to help you get back into the flow and feel that connection with your instrument and your music to prepare you to perform or just get you to […]
The post How to Get Back “Into Shape” After a Break In Playing Jazz appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
“What prevents you from achieving your jazz goals?”. This was a question we recently polled our community over on YouTube about, and we got a lot of really interesting answers and responses to our poll. So, in today’s episode what I wanna do is I wanna go over those results; what people are saying and […]
The post What Prevents You From Achieving Your Jazz Goals? appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Alright, Magalie, can you say hello to the podcast listeners today? Oh, don’t grab the microphone, it’s expensive. Can you say, “Hi, podcast listeners!”(Baby mumbling) Yeah, hi! Okay, let’s get on to the show now. Have you ever heard this saying before that insanity is doing the same thing, over and over and over again […]
The post How to Reduce Friction In Your Jazz Improvement appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
If you wanna be a good musician of any kind then you know you need to practice, especially if you want to play jazz. So, I’m gonna give you the very best practice advice I can give you to help you get set up for success. Listen to episode 361 In this episode: Intro Tip […]
The post Quick Win: The Best Jazz Practice Advice appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Listening to jazz is one of the best ways that you can improve your jazz playing without even touching your instrument and actually retain material so that it becomes exponentially easier to play when you actually do pick up your instrument. So I wanna talk about some plans for listening to jazz if your intention […]
The post Frameworks for Ingraining Jazz Recordings appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 350 where today I discuss 21 different options for jazz practice. So if you are wondering what you should practice today, this week, or this month, this episode should give you a handful of good ideas to work with. Listen to episode 350 Hey listen, so if you’re sittin’ there this week […]
The post 21 Things For You to Practice appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 345 where today I talk about finding your ONE thing that if you accomplish this, will make playing jazz so much easier, and even make other things you would practice unnecessary. I talk about this concept and then share ONE thing from members of our Inner Circle. Listen to episode 345 My […]
The post Finding The ONE Thing That Will Accelerate Your Jazz Skills appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
If you’re feeling stuck in your jazz playing today, it’s likely because of one of the reasons I’m about to share with you. So, I’m gonna be your jazz doctor today, diagnose your issue, and tell you how to fix it. Listen to episode 336 In this episode: Intro: 10 Reasons Why Your Jazz Improv […]
The post Quick Win: Why Your Jazz Improv Isn’t Improving… appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
So how do we stay motivated to practice jazz so that we don’t get frustrated, burned out, or even quit altogether? Today, I’m giving you 8 tips that will help you amped up to practice. Listen to episode 328 In this episode: CHAPTERS: Tip #1 – This essentially gives you the “food” that you need […]
The post Quick Win: How to Stay Motivated to Practice Jazz appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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 for 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:
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Debunking the false narrative that you need to practice a lot
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The #1 activity I recommend practicing
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Examples of how to work backwards from your practicing goal to create a practice plan
Important Links
Show Notes:
https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode323
LJS Inner Circle Membership https://members.learnjazzstandards.com/ljs-inner-circle
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way https://members.learnjazzstandards.com/op/learn-jazz-standards-the-smart-way/
The post What Should I Do If I Don’t Have a Lot of Time to Practice? appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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. Listen to episode 320 In this episode: 1. The Pareto Principle 2. The 5 Filters 3. Filter #1- Goal Setting 4. […]
The post Quick Win: 5 Jazz Practice Hacks to Improve Faster appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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 […]
The post How to Do a Self Jazz Audit to Speed Up Your Improvement appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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. Listen to episode 310 […]
The post Gear I Use to Play, Teach, and Practice Jazz appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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. Listen to episode 309 In this episode: 1. Mistake #1 2. Master This For Better Improvisation Skills 3. Mistake #2 4. How To Be […]
The post Quick Win: 3 Jazz Mistakes Beginners Make (Avoid These) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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. Listen to episode 308 There have been […]
The post Why Practicing LESS Is Better Than Practicing More appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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 […]
The post How to Get Un-Stuck In Your Jazz Playing (5 Steps) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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. Listen to episode 297 In this episode: 1. Level #1 Complete Jazz Beginner 2. Level #2 Jazz Beginner 3. Level #3 Jazz Intermediate 4. Level #4 […]
The post Quick Win: How to Go From Jazz Beginner to Intermediate, to Advanced appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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. Listen to […]
The post Quick Win: How to Overcome Jazz Performance Anxiety appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 295 where today I discuss 5 "filters" for knowing what you should practice. There are so many things out there to practice, and sometimes when told what to practice it can seem generic and not catered specifically to you. So in this episode, you'll learn 5 filters to help you assess what to practice to shorten your jazz learning curve.
Main Points:
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Your Master Goal Filter
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Your Technique Filter
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The 3 Pillars Filter
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Jazz Standards Filter
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Fun Filter
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Your Practice Strategy Filter
Important Links
Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode296
LJS Inner Circle Membership https://members.learnjazzstandards.com/ljs-inner-circle
Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way https://members.learnjazzstandards.com/op/learn-jazz-standards-the-smart-way/
The post 5 Filters for How to Know What You Should Practice appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
If you’re like most people who are strapped for time to practice, then you may wonder, how do I improve my jazz skills while practicing less? Well, today I’m going to show you a practice routine that packs a huge punch in only 30 minutes. Listen to episode 295 In this episode: 1. What is […]
The post Quick Win: 30 Minute Jazz Standard Practice Routine appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 294 where today I discuss 3 core factors I look into when assessing the health of my student’s jazz playing. I find that there are 3 main areas of strength and weakness in a musician that can make or break their jazz solos, comping, or bass lines. If we are able to […]
The post Is Your Jazz Playing Healthy (3 Core Factors)? appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 281 where today I talk with a musical mentor of mine, Justin Nielsen, all about his 3 track system for accelerating your jazz growth. Justin has taught hundreds of students, some of which have gone on to be world-class jazz musicians, and his powerful 3 track system will make sure you are […]
The post The 3 Track System for Skyrocketing Your Jazz Playing (feat. Justin Nielsen) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 273 where I discuss the only thing I would practice for jazz if I could only pick three. Most of us don’t have a lot of time to practice, but we want to improve our jazz skills quickly. We need to be focusing on the most impactful things and discarding the rest. […]
The post Only 3 Things I Would Practice for the Rest of My Life appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 267 where today we have special guest, founder and CEO of Modactiy, Marc Gelfo, on to talk about practice strategy. In this episode, Marc digs beneath the surface and shares his thoughts on practicing effectively drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and his experience as an extraordinarily accomplished french hornist. Listen to episode 267 […]
The post Innovative Practice Strategies for Mind, Body, and Music (feat. Marc Gelfo) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 266 where today we talk about swing feel, what it is, how to properly swing, and some common mistakes musicians make. Swing is the most unique style to jazz, despite there being multiple straight eighth styles associated with jazz. But what exactly makes up a swing feel, and how do we find […]
The post Mastering Swing Feel and Finding That Perfect Swing appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 263 where today I go over a simple strategy you can start implementing into your practice. It’s called the L.R.C Practice Strategy, and it will help you take your practicing to the next level with structured and focused actions that yield better and faster results. Listen to episode 263 In today’s episode, […]
The post The L.R.C Practice Strategy for Mastering Musical Material appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 260 where today I’m covering a 7 step process for improvising over a jazz standard starting from zero. This is the exact process that my Inner Circle members go through to learn and improvise over a new jazz standard every month, and now I’m sharing it with you. Listen to episode 260 […]
The post 7 Steps for Improvising Over Jazz Standards from Scratch appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 254 where today we talk about how to develop a good time feel and a basic sense of rhythm. You can play all of the “right” notes, and the hippest licks, but if your time feel is off and your execution poor, you’ll end up sounding amateur. In this episode, you’ll learn […]
The post How to Develop Great Time Feel 101 appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 250 where today I talk about what makes a great jazz New Year Resolution that you will actually see through to the end. Most of us want to become better jazz improvisers in 2021, but that’s about where it ends. In this episode I break down 3 characteristics of achievable resolutions and […]
The post How to ACTUALLY Achieve Your 2021 Jazz New Years Resolutions appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 248 where today we have special guest Mark Morley-Fletcher from Play In The Zone on to talk about how to focus on what really matters in your jazz playing to expedite your improvement. Mark is an incredible educator, and combining his background in analytics and his interest in performance psychology, delivers some […]
The post How to Speed Up Your Musical Progress By Focusing On What Matters (feat. Mark Morley-Fletcher) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 245 where today I discuss how long you actually need to practice in order to make meaningful improvement in your jazz playing. While there is no one size fits all answer, it may surprise you to find out that you don’t need to practice as much as you think. Listen to episode […]
The post How Much Do I Need to Practice to Make Meaningful Improvement? appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 242 where today we conclude with our final episode of Minor Blues Month! In this episode, I share with you my in-depth practice plan for mastering a minor blues. I’ll walk you through all of the material I work through, how to organize it, and a step-by-step practice plan. Get our your […]
The post [Practice Plan] How to Master a Minor Blues and Accelerate Your Progress appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 231 of the LJS Podcast where today I feature a chapter reading from my book “Jazz Improvisation Made Simple” where I discuss establishing your “why” and setting goals for your jazz playing. Establishing your why will help you keep anchored when the going gets tough or you feel like you are in […]
The post Defining Your “Why” and Setting Goals for Jazz Acceleration appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 227 of the LJS Podcast where today we cover 3 practice habits for retaining musical material. It can be frustrating when you learn a jazz standard, solo, or lick, only to forget it later. In this episode, I introduce some practice habits that can be helpful for long term retention and set […]
The post 3 Practice Habits for Retaining Musical Material appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 205 of the LJS Podcast where today I have 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 community is helping her grow.
View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode205
Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/
The post Learning from the Greats and Embracing the Joy of Musical Growth (feat. Shirley Jansen) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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 need to do to prepare, and how to know when you are ready.
View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode204
Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/
The post How to Prepare for Jam Sessions and Group Playing (feat. Diego Maldonado and Wallace Stelzer) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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 in his musicianship since then. We talk what’s working for him […]
The post Practicing with a Plan and Crushing Musical Weaknesses (feat Bob Petix) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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.learnjazzstandards.com/episode196
Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/
The post Recycling Jazz Practice Plan (Jazz Practice Plan #2) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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.
View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode195
Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/
The post Stair Step Practice Plan (Jazz Practice Plan #1) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 189 of the LJS Podcast where today I have on special guest pianist and educator Brett Pontecorvo to talk about making time to practice and setting up a masterplan to achieve your musical goals. Not having time to practice is a common complaint, but this episode crushes that limiting belief and shows you a path to achieve more in your musical life.
View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode189
Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/
The post Finding More Time to Practice and Skyrocketing Your Jazz Potential (feat. Brett Pontecorvo) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 187 of the LJS Podcast where we conclude "Jazz Blues Month!" In this episode, I cover my philosophy on mastering musical material, and it especially applies to a jazz blues. No, it's not a bunch of fancy licks, short cuts, and hacks. It's real process. I dig into that and how you can start taking action.
View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode187
Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/
The post [Strategy #3] The Secret Sauce for Mastering a Jazz Blues appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 178 of the LJS Podcast where today I have on special guest jazz guitarist and Youtuber, Jens Larsen to talk about recording yourself. I frequently get comments from my course students that the power of recording themselves has become a game-changer. Jens goes into detail about overcoming fears, and what to look out for when you listen back to yourself.
View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode178
Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/
The post Becoming Your Own Jazz Teacher by Recording Yourself (feat. Jens Larsen) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 176 of the LJS Podcast where today our special guest Nick Mainella from the 10 Minute Jazz Lesson Podcast discusses how we can improve our jazz improv by thinking slow. To be a great jazz improviser you need to think fast and effectively, and in order to do that you need to start by doing the opposite.
View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode176
Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/
The post Leveling Up Your Jazz Improvisation by Thinking Slow (feat. Nick Mainella) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 163 of the LJS Podcast where today we talk about what to do when you feel un-motivated to practice. Sometimes we are burnt out, sometimes we just don't want to and don't have a good reason. It can be confusing especially since deep inside we know we want to become better jazz musicians. Don't panic, here are 5 things you can do.
View Show Notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode163
Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/
The post 5 Things to Do When You Feel Un-Motivated to Practice appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 160 of the LJS Podcast where today I walk you through how to learn a jazz solo (or possibly two) by ear in 1 month. This practice plan breaks things down and makes things easy, even if you've never learned a jazz solo by ear before. Having a plan is important, and this one will set you up for success.
View the show notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode160
Learn more about my 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing Course: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/30-steps-to-better-jazz-playing/
The post 1 Month Practice Plan For Learning 1-2 Jazz Solos by Ear appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 159 of the LJS Podcast where today we have special guest Rodney Brim on the show to talk about how to properly "hack" your brain for bigger, faster improvement in the practice room. Rodney is a psychologist and professional musician and knows the inner workings of the brain and how it works. He walks us through 4 huge tips for brain hacking in the practice room.
View the show notes: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode159
Sign up for the newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/join
The post Brain Hacking for Speeding Up Your Jazz Improv Success (feat. Rodney Brim) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 153 of the LJS Podcast where today we are covering 28 different jazz skills that you can start practicing today. No more excuses of not knowing what to practice! I break them down by category and list a lot of resources we have on Learn Jazz Standards to help you accomplish them.
List of all resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/episode153
The post 28 Jazz Skills to Practice (by Category) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 149 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to set up a game-changing practice play for your jazz playing. If you're tired of meandering and practicing aimlessly, you need a practice plan that works. Learn how Project, Short-term, and Micro Goals work together with the Stair-Step Practice Plan to help you reach your desired musical transformations. Listen in!
I go over more stuff like this in my free mini-course "Accelerate Your Jazz Skills": https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/accelerate-your-jazz-skills/
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Welcome to episode 145 of the LJS Podcast where today we are listening to some jazz together and doing some critical listening. We take Miles Davis' rendition of "Someday My Prince Will Come" and pick a section of it apart by honing in on each instrument individually. Lot's to learn from this recording. Listen in!
The post How to Listen to a Jazz Recording (And Learn From It) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 144 of the LJS Podcast where today we are closing up a series of coaching calls with one of my 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing students, Brent Arnold. Brent asks a lot of really great questions, including how to know when to move on to something new. We talk through them one by one. Listen in!
Sign up for my jazz practicing course 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/30-steps-to-better-jazz-playing/
The post How to Know When to Move On From Something You Are Practicing (feat. Brent Arnold) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 143 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking to 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing student, Ina Dennekamp, about her journey in learning jazz. Ina is an inspirational character and someone who loves learning more about music. She shares her tips and what's working for her. Listen in!
If you're interested, you can sign up for 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing here: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/30-steps-to-better-jazz-playing/
The post Learning Jazz by Ear and Putting Away Fakebooks (feat. Ina Dennekamp) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 131 of the LJS Podcast where today we have on special guest Marc Gelfo to talk about neuroscience and the music learning process. Marc calls himself a neuro-symphonic french hornist, and he's the CEO of the Modacity practice platform. He talks all about the power of neuroscience and music. Listen in!
The post The Neuroscience Behind Radical Musical Improvement (Feat. Marc Gelfo) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 129 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking with saxophonist, composer, and educator Josiah Boornazian. Josiah is a brilliant musician, and he lays down some of his best tips. He hones in on the concept of setting parameters in your practice sessions and lays down three great options. Listen in!
The post Using Musical Parameters for Next Level Jazz Practice (feat. Josiah Boornazian) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 127 of the LJS Podcast where today I spend some time maintenance practicing. Maintenance practicing is a great way to keep up your skills even when you have very little time to spend practicing. I play through my quick routine and let you know how I keep my fingers fresh. Listen in!
The post How to Maintenance Practice to Keep Up Your Jazz Skills appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 126 of the LJS Podcast where today we are doing a coaching call with current 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing student, Joyce Kettering. Joyce has an inspiring reason why she started learning jazz. We spend some time talking about that, and how she can effectively practice even when she doesn't have access to her instrument. Listen in!
The post Practicing Away from the Instrument Effectively and Using Jazz as Therapy (feat. Joyce Kettering) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 125 of the LJS Podcast where today we sit in on a coaching call with 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing course alumni Francis Belanger. Francis took our jazz practicing course last year and Brent checks up on post-course life. Listen in!
The post The Power of Structured Jazz Practice (Coaching Call with Francis Belanger) appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 124 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about the Big 3 things you need to be practicing in order to improve as a jazz musician. This episode piggy-backs off of last week's episode where we talked about focused, goal-oriented practicing. Learn what to practice so you don't get overwhelmed and how to do it. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 123 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 5 powerful results that come from focused, goal-oriented practice sessions. If you want to improve as a jazz musician you need this kind of practice. That's why the next handful of episodes are geared towards this and how to accelerate your jazz skills. Listen in!
The post 5 Powerful Results That Come From Focused, Goal-Oriented Jazz Practicing appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 120 of the LJS Podcast where today we have on special guest Diego Maldonado to talk about how to practice towards fail-proof musical performances. If you've ever practiced a piece of music only for it to go completely wrong during a performance (like all of us), this episode will help you avoid this from happening. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 117 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about learning licks in all 12 keys and how to do it. Learning small pieces of jazz language is a great way to start developing vocabulary over chords and progressions. Taking them through all 12 keys adds even more value to that material and your musicianship. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 97 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how we can use the 80/20 Rule to get big results out of 30 minute practice sessions. Life can be busy and sometimes it's tough to find time to practice. But if we are practicing the right things and stay focused, 30 minutes may be all we need. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 85 of the LJS Podcast where today we have special guest Steve Nixon from freejazzlessons.com on the show to talk all about how to practice smart and improve quickly. When it comes to becoming a better jazz musician it's all about practicing, and Steve knows more than a thing or two about this. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 82 of the LJS Podcast where today we have special guest Christopher Sutton, the founder of Musical-U, to talk to us about how to set game-changing goals for our musicianship. Christopher shares with us his MAGIC process for setting up result-oriented goals, and then go out and actually accomplish them. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 56 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 8 reasons why jazz musicians should shed classical. That's right, classical music. How can classical music help you become a better jazz musician? Special guest Josiah Boornazian gives us the pitch. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 55 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 4 important jazz chord progressions you need to master. You will come across these progressions often in jazz standards. Lick examples are demonstrated for each. Listen in!
The post LJS 55: 4 Important Jazz Chord Progressions You Need to Master appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
Welcome to episode 54 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to organize balanced jazz practice sessions. At the same time, we are answering the question of what jazz musicians should be practicing in the first place. Balanced practice routines are one of the keys to musical success. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 49 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 3 ways practicing in all 12 keys will make you a better jazz musician. This is a practice that can have profound effects on your playing. Be sure to take the challenge at the end of the episode! Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 48 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about why you should stop practicing. Stop practicing!? Indeed, there are certain scenarios where taking a little bit of time off can be incredibly helpful for your jazz playing. Listen in!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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 is essential for improvisation, and so ear training needs to be at the forefront of a jazz musicians studies. Listen in!
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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!
The post LJS 29: Jazz Challenge #4 Learn a New Jazz Lick appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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!
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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!
The post LJS 27: Jazz Challenge #2 Practice the Blues in all 12 Keys appeared first on Learn Jazz Standards.
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!
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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!
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Welcome to episode 21 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 4 steps to finding more time to practice. We get a lot of emails about this, and since practicing is such an important thing for musicians (especially in jazz), it is important we talk about it. Find out how you can squeeze practice into your regular schedule. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 16 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about practicing with a metronome. Practicing with a metronome can help us attain improvisational freedom and rhythmic confidence. Having a great time feel and a strong inner clock is a big factor that sets apart the greatest musicians. Working with a metronome can help you reach that level. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 11 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about 4 ingredients to becoming a better jazz musician. These "ingredients" aren't things you should practice or what licks or solos you should learn. These are some really important things to be and do outside of the practice room, if you are serious about becoming a better jazz musician. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 7 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how playing free can make you a better improviser. Our special guest saxophonist and composer Josiah Boornazian walks us through some enlightening ways to bring free improvisation into the practice room, rehearsals, and even gigs. Listen in!
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Welcome to episode 4 of the LJS Podcast where today we will be talking about 3 Things Every Jazz Musician Should Be Practicing. In this episode we go over three things to practice that are proven to be very effective in improving jazz soloing and jazz playing in general. If these are not a part of your practice routine now, you are going to want to pencil them in!
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Welcome to episode 2 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to properly learn a jazz standard. In this episode we talk about why learning jazz standards is so important and 5 great steps to learning a jazz standard so you can really own it. Find out how!
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Welcome to our very first episode of the LJS Podcast, where today we are talking about 4 Habits For Better Practicing. As jazz musicians, practicing is one of the most important things we can talk about. Listen in as NYC based jazz guitarist and LJS blogger Brent Vaartstra walks us through these important practicing habits.
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