Learn Jazz Standards Podcast
Brent Vaartstra: Jazz Musician, Author, and Entrepreneur
The LJS Podcast is the podcast where you get weekly jazz tips, interviews, stories and advice for becoming a better jazz musician! Hosting the show is the jazz musician behind learnjazzstandards.com, author, and entrepreneur Brent Vaartstra, who’s one goal is to answer any question about playing jazz music you may have. Jazz can be a challenging music to learn and play, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. Each episode features a specific musical challenge that jazz students may come across, where it is discussed and answered. Special jazz guests frequent the show, sharing their expertise on an array of different musical subject matter. Listeners are invited to call in with their jazz questions to the podcast hotline, where it could get answered on a future LJS Podcast episode. Join thousands of other listeners getting free jazz education every week!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 23, 2019 • 32min
Top 5 Learn Jazz Standards Podcast Episodes (2019 Year End Review)
Welcome to episode 199 of the LJS Podcast where today we take a look back on 2019. A lot of really great stuff happened with Learn Jazz Standards in 2019 and I go over some of the big mile markers, as well as the top 5 downloaded episodes of the year. I also share my favorite episodes and a sneak peek into what's coming next year.Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show Notes Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Dec 16, 2019 • 19min
3 Steps for Hearing Chords (Ear Training Masterclass)
Welcome to episode 198 of the LJS Podcast where I go over my 3 step process for learning to hear chords. Being able to hear different chord qualities is important for being able to hear chord progressions, which of course is important for learning jazz standards. It's also important for our improvisation as well, so I show you a great method for training your ears to hear any chord.Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show NotesLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Dec 9, 2019 • 1h 12min
A Jazz Geek Hang with Diego Maldonado and Wallace Stelzer
Welcome to episode 197 of the LJS Podcast where I have my good buddies drummer Diego Maldonado and bassist Wallace Stelzer over to the studio to hang out and geek out on jazz.This is a fun episode full of jazz nerdery, music philosophy, a little bit of alcohol, NYC's best cookies, and some shenanigans. Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show NotesLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Dec 2, 2019 • 29min
Recycling Jazz Practice Plan (Jazz Practice Plan #2)
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/episode196Sign up for the Newsletter: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/newsletter/Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Nov 25, 2019 • 42min
Stair Step Practice Plan (Jazz Practice Plan #1)
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. Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show Notes Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Nov 18, 2019 • 51min
Understanding the Jazz Eras (Jazz History Made Simple)
Welcome to episode 194 of the LJS Podcast where today we take a look back in time at jazz history. We look into the different eras of jazz, the important musicians to listen to from them, and how the music evolved over time. Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show NotesLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Nov 11, 2019 • 51min
Jazz Theory Made Simple (Only Theory You Need to Know)
Welcome to episode 193 of the LJS Podcast where today I take the often overwhelming and confusing world of jazz theory and make it simple. Jazz theory is often overcomplicated with way too much information and concepts that are unnecessary. I boil things down to the basics and help make things more understandable.Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way View Show NotesLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Nov 4, 2019 • 40min
I Compose a Jazz Tune on the Spot
Welcome to episode 192 of the LJS Podcast where today I put myself on the spot and compose a jazz tune on the podcast. I had no pre-conceived ideas before recording, I just start going in real-time. See how I did and the tune I came up with in the end.Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show Notes Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Oct 28, 2019 • 28min
Understanding All the Things You Are
Welcome to episode 191 of the LJS Podcast where today I walk you through a chords analysis of the popular jazz standard All the Things You Are. This tune is packed full of valuable lessons that will help you understand other jazz standards better and ultimately improve your improvisation skills.Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show Notes Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Oct 21, 2019 • 24min
3 Ways to Get Jazz Gigs
Welcome to episode 190 of the LJS Podcast where today I talk about how to get jazz gigs. One of the big goals for most musicians is to get out there and play. That's where the real fun and learning can happen. But how do you acquire those gigs? I go over three ways with different strategies for each to help you get out there and start performing.Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show Notes Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
