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
Mar 18, 2019 • 45min
Brain Hacking for Speeding Up Your Jazz Improv Success (feat. Rodney Brim)
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.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!
Mar 13, 2019 • 6min
1,000,000+ Downloads of the LJS Podcast!
Special announcement! The Learn Jazz Standards Podcast has passed 1,000,000 total downloads over the past 3 years with 4 new episodes a month. It's a big mile marker, so here's a short episode to share some gratitude to the most important people who make this show a success: my listeners.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!
Mar 11, 2019 • 16min
Using Chromaticism to Develop Your Jazz Lines
Welcome to episode 158 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to add chromaticism into your jazz lines. Chromaticism is one of the characteristics of a classic "jazz sound" and so we take a close look at how to implement it. We go over 5 different licks and gradually introduce chromaticism into them.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!
Mar 4, 2019 • 23min
4 Scales to Play Over a Half-Diminished Chord
Welcome to episode 157 of the LJS Podcast where today we discuss four different scale options for approaching half-diminished chords. Sometimes it can be helpful to take chords out of the context of chord progressions and look at them individually. These scales will help you map out note choices for this mysterious chord.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!
Feb 25, 2019 • 24min
How to Memorize Chord Changes and Not Get Lost
Welcome to episode 156 of the LJS Podcast where today we feature a listener question all about how to memorize chord changes so you don't start confusing them with others. If you've ever gotten lost playing a jazz standard because you accidentally switched to playing a similar one, you're going to find this episode helpful.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!
Feb 18, 2019 • 41min
Using “Musical Playgrounds” For Better Improvisation (feat. Christopher Sutton)
Welcome to episode 155 of the LJS Podcast where today we have special guest Christopher Sutton back on the show to talk to us about improvisation. What I love about this interview is Christopher is not a jazz musician, and he offers some unique perspectives on improvisation that are really refreshing. Learn about musical playgrounds and how thinking this way will enlighten your improv.Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show Notes Christopher Sutton's websiteLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Feb 11, 2019 • 39min
How to Avoid Meandering Jazz Solos (feat. Jeff Schneider)
Welcome to episode 154 of the LJS Podcast where today we have special guest Jeff Schneider back on the show to talk to us about avoiding meandering jazz solos. Jeff talks about how to create jazz lines that sound more like a conversation than just a stream of notes. This one is packed full of jazz truth nuggets. Listen in!Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayView Show Notes Jeff Schneider's websiteLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Feb 4, 2019 • 28min
28 Jazz Skills to Practice (by Category)
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.Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayList of all resources mentioned in this episodeLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Jan 28, 2019 • 34min
Music Theory Checklist for Understanding Jazz Improvisation
Welcome to episode 152 of the LJS Podcast where today we are covering my music theory checklist for understanding jazz improvisation.If you are wondering what step-by-step building blocks you need in place for understanding jazz harmony and improv, this is a solid list. Take notes on which ones you need to work on. Listen in!This list is based on my eBook and companion course "Zero to Improv"Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
Jan 21, 2019 • 22min
Applying Patterns to Scales for Jazz Improv Flexibility
Welcome to episode 151 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how you can apply different pattern exercises over scales. Patterns are great technical exercises that can help us become more flexible on our instruments. I give several different examples that you can put to use. Listen in!This lesson comes out of my jazz theory and improv eBook and companion course "Zero to Improv"Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart WayLearn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
