Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

By 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.co

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How many episodes does Learn Jazz Standards Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 605 episodes available.

Best of Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: How Do I Practice Enclosures?
Join Brent as he explores the art of jazz improvisation. In this episode, Brent answers a listener's question about incorporating enclosures into chord tone maps, offering valuable insights into bebop language and improvisational techniques. Through clear explanations and practical examples, he guides listeners on a journey to enhance their improvisational skills and deepen their understanding of jazz harmony. Discover actionable strategies for targeting chord tones and practicing enclosures, unlocking new possibilities for musical expression. Brent's passion for jazz education shines through as he shares practical exercises and encourages listeners to take action on their musical journey. Tune in to the Learn Jazz Standards podcast for expert advice, engaging discussions, and actionable tips to help you reach your full potential as a jazz musician. Important Links: Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way LJS Inner Circle Membership Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
May 22, 202412min
Number 2: How Do I Use Triad Pairs?
In this episode, Brent addresses a question from Chris Hercules about improvising with triads. He begins by explaining the concept of harmonizing triads within a diatonic context. Brent breaks down how different triads can be derived from the scale, providing insights into understanding and utilizing triads effectively. He then introduces the concept of triad pairs, which involves using two triads generated from a diatonic scale to improvise. He demonstrates how triad pairs can be applied in improvisation to create engaging and melodic lines. Brent emphasizes experimentation and practical application while offering valuable tips for incorporating triads into jazz improvisation. Important Links: Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way LJS Inner Circle Membership Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
February 27, 202412min
Number 3: Why Diminished Arpeggios Sound Awesome Over Dominant 7ths?
In this week's episode, Brent answers an intriguing question posed by a podcast listener about using diminished arpeggios over dominant seventh chords. He breaks down the theory behind this concept, explaining how diminished arpeggios can enhance improvisation and add tension and resolution to playing. He demonstrates how to apply this knowledge practically to create exciting new sounds. By exploring the relationship between diminished arpeggios and dominant seventh chords, Brent provides valuable insights into jazz theory while emphasizing the importance of practical application in musical learning. Important Links: Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way LJS Inner Circle Membership Listen to the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
February 26, 202411min
Number 4: By the End of This Episode You’ll Know a New Jazz Standard
Welcome to episode 224 of the LJS Podcast where today I learn a new jazz standard in real-time on the show. If you'll join with me you'll know a new jazz standard by the end as well. You'll see how I approach learning a jazz standard by ear, no filters, no edits. You know, I love a lot of things about jazz music, like I love the improv, I love the creativity, I love the challenge it provides to us as individual musicians. Just a lot of things are great about it that I enjoy playing and listening to it. But what a lot of people don't know is, my favorite part about jazz is the ballads. I just love ballads! I love playing the ballads. I think it's just some of the most beautiful music. It's all tunes! Oh man, it's so great! And so, I've been thinking to myself for a while, there's this particular ballad that I've really been wanting to learn and still don't know it. So in today's episode, I am going to learn that jazz standard for the very first time. And I think in the process, you might learn it as well just by going along this with me and maybe at least get inside of my head of what I think about when I learn a jazz standard by ear. In this episode: 1. I walk through a Brad Meldau recording of "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" and learn it by ear Important Links: 1. LJS Inner Circle Membership 2. Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way 3. LJS 212: Improv Hacking Jazz Standards (3 Step Process) Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
June 22, 202049min
Number 5: 3 Jazz Theory Lessons from On the Sunny Side of the Street
Welcome to episode 223 of the LJS Podcast where today we go over three music theory concepts in the jazz standard On the Sunny Side of the Street that can be helpful for improvising on standards in general. I discuss the three concepts as well as a few different ideas on how to approach them in your solos. I don't know about you, but whenever I work on a jazz standard or learn a new jazz standard, I'm always looking for little nuggets of wisdom, little tidbits that are going to help me in my jazz improv, not just with that song but with all other jazz standards. Because each jazz standard really is a treasure trove of new explorations, new opportunities for different kinds of improvisation and to spark new creative ideas for ourselves. So, in today's podcast episode, I'm going to look at a really awesome jazz standard called On the Sunny Side of the Street and we are going to look at 3 different jazz theory takeaways and some different ways to approach them in an improvisational standpoint. In this episode: 1. Deceptive Cadence 2. Diminished replacing a dominant 7 3. Dominant II7 chord (Secondary Dominant) Important Links: LJS Inner Circle Membership Free Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle: Get 50% off your first month!
June 15, 202033min