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
Oct 14, 2019 • 46min
Finding More Time to Practice and Skyrocketing Your Jazz Potential (feat. Brett Pontecorvo)
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. 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!
Oct 7, 2019 • 52min
Inside Look on a Pro Jazz Musicians Development
Welcome to episode 188 of the LJS Podcast where today I have on special guest jazz pianist Keelan Dimick to discuss the transformational moments in his musical development. Keelan is a jazz piano phenom and he opens up and shares his journey as a musician and the key points in his development.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!
Sep 30, 2019 • 29min
[Strategy #3] The Secret Sauce for Mastering a Jazz Blues
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 jazz blues. No, it's not a bunch of fancy licks, shortcuts, and hacks. It's a real process. I dig into that and how you can start taking action.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!
Sep 23, 2019 • 36min
[Strategy #2] 3 Pillars of Jazz Blues Language
Welcome to episode 186 of the LJS Podcast where we continue onto week 3 of "Jazz Blues Month!" In this episode, I cover the 2nd strategy of this series which is understanding the 3 pillars of jazz blues language. Not only do we discuss what they are, I tell you what to practice and a few tools that can help for each.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!
Sep 16, 2019 • 36min
[Strategy #1] Mapping out a Jazz Blues for Improv Success
Welcome to episode 185 of the LJS Podcast where we continue "Jazz Blues Month!" In this episode, I cover the first of 3 strategies I'll be covering on crushing it on a jazz blues. Strategy #1 is "Mapping", and I go over 3 phases of mapping over a jazz blues. After mapping, the mystery of what notes to play will be completely solved.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!
Sep 9, 2019 • 28min
3 Reasons You NEED to Master the Jazz Blues
Welcome to episode 184 of the LJS Podcast where today we kick off "Jazz Blues Month!" In this episode, I discuss 3 reasons why you need to master the jazz blues.If you go deep into understanding and navigating a jazz blues it will unlock countless secrets for becoming a great jazz improviser. Here's why!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!
Sep 2, 2019 • 31min
Analyzing a Good and Bad Jazz Solo (What Makes a Good Solo)
Welcome to episode 183 of the LJS Podcast where today we listen to two solos I've recorded in the past. We'll listen to one that I'm proud of and checks off the boxes of a good jazz solo, and we'll also listen to one I'm not so proud of. I analyze what made the good one good, and the bad one bad. 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!
Aug 26, 2019 • 56min
Understanding Diminished 7th Chords and How to Improvise Over Them (feat. Adam Levy)
Welcome to episode 182 of the LJS Podcast where today I have special guest Adam Levy on the show to talk about diminished harmony and how to start improvising over diminished 7th chords. If you've ever felt confused by diminished chords and how to approach them, consider this a must-listen episode.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!
Aug 19, 2019 • 9min
I’m Taking a Break from Jazz
Welcome to episode 181 of the LJS Podcast where today I announce that I'm taking a break from jazz...for two weeks. But the fact that I'm taking a break does have some significance, and I want to explain the benefit of taking breaks for you and your musicianship.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!
Aug 12, 2019 • 38min
I Answer Your Jazz Questions (Ask Me Anything)
Welcome to episode 180 of the LJS Podcast where today I answer questions from the Learn Jazz Standards Community Facebook Group and YouTube channel. Lots of great jazz questions are answered over a wide range of topics.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!
