In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent discusses three mindset shifts to improve at jazz faster. The first mindset shift is the "growth mindset," inspired by Carol Dweck's book "Mindset," emphasizing the view that failures are opportunities to grow and learn, rather than fixed definitions of ability.

The second mindset shift is recognizing that "perfection is the enemy of progress." Brent encourages listeners not to obsess over perfection, but rather to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process, especially in improvisation.

The third mindset is "less is more," advising musicians to focus on fewer elements in their practice sessions, allowing for better retention and improvement. Brent emphasizes the concept of focusing on one jazz standard a month in the Learn Jazz Standards inner circle to illustrate the effectiveness of this mindset.

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Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
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In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent answers a question from inner circle member Kevin Pritchett about recognizing and using secondary dominants in jazz standards.

Brent explains the concept of secondary dominants and he illustrates the idea using a one, six, two, five chord progression in the key of C, emphasizing the importance of turning the six chord into a dominant seventh chord to tonicize the following two-chord. He highlights examples of secondary dominants in jazz compositions, such as rhythm changes and "But Not For Me."

He addresses Kevin's question on recognizing and applying secondary dominants by emphasizing the importance of analyzing jazz standards, learning new tunes, and understanding where secondary dominants naturally occur.

Brent concludes by discussing the application of tension and resolution in improvisation over secondary dominants, showcasing how jazz musicians enhance their lines with added complexity and interest.

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Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
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In this podcast episode, Brent addresses a question from a listener named Lewis. Lewis is interested in transitioning smoothly between unrelated keys in jazz improvisation, specifically dealing with non-diatonic chord progressions. 

Brent emphasizes the importance of thinking about voice leading, even when faced with unrelated chords. He uses examples from jazz standards like "Beatrice" and "Well You Needn't" to illustrate the concept. Brent suggests focusing on resolving notes melodically and encourages listeners to experiment with various ways of connecting unrelated chords. 

He also touches on the importance of instrument navigation, suggesting that musicians explore different registers and positions to enhance their ability to connect chords seamlessly. 

The episode concludes with a reminder to practice creatively and address specific musical challenges systematically.

Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
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In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent addresses a question from Jim about learning jazz on non-traditional instruments, specifically the bluegrass-style five-string banjo. Brent emphasizes that, regardless of the instrument, all musicians need to focus on common aspects of jazz, such as learning songs, playing melodies, understanding chords, and improvisation. 

He highlights that the core principles of playing jazz apply universally, regardless of the instrument played. Brent discusses the instrument-specific challenges that musicians may face but emphasizes that these are limitations specific to the instrument, not the genre. He mentions examples of ukulele, dobro, and lap steel players in the LearnJazzStandards Inner Circle, demonstrating how musicians with diverse instruments can contribute and learn together. 

Brent also provides insights into how the Inner Circle can assist musicians on non-traditional instruments with its instrument-agnostic approach, offering resources like chord tone maps, guide tone maps, jazz solos, and ear training. 

The episode concludes with Brent encouraging musicians to embrace the uniqueness of their instruments and explore the possibilities of playing jazz on any instrument.

Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
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In this podcast episode, Brent addresses a question from David Garcia about his biggest challenge in jazz. Brent candidly discusses the significant obstacle he faced throughout his jazz journey—the fear of sounding bad. 

He emphasizes how this fear, rooted in concerns about ego and judgment, can impede progress, hinder creativity, and diminish the joy of playing music. 

Brent shares his personal experience of gradually overcoming this challenge by adopting a growth mindset, embracing mistakes, and focusing on the joy of the musical journey. He highlights the importance of mindset in jazz and suggests that at least 50% of playing music is about cultivating a positive and growth-oriented mindset. 

Brent concludes by encouraging musicians to equally prioritize their mental well-being alongside technical proficiency in their musical endeavors.

Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
LJS Inner Circle Membership
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In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent addresses a strategy to improve improvisation. He discusses the common issue of playing short and choppy phrases in solos and suggests an exercise called the "subdivisions exercise" to overcome this habit.

The exercise involves playing continuous quarter notes, eighth notes, and triplets against a metronome or backing track to develop longer flowing eighth note lines. Brent encourages musicians to exaggerate this process to make playing continuous lines feel more natural.

He emphasizes the importance of incorporating longer flowing lines to enhance the professionalism of a solo. The episode concludes with a reminder about the significance of taking action on acquired knowledge and engaging in effective practice.

Important Links:
Free Guide to learning standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way
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In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent addresses a question from Paul Elwood about connecting scales/arpeggios and improvisation. Brent emphasizes that scales and arpeggios are foundational tools but suggests a shift in mindset from thinking about chord tones or scales to improvising more instinctively.

He introduces a framework involving learning, recomposing, composing, and improvising to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and creative expression.

Brent encourages musicians to experiment, let their ears guide them, and embrace the joy of improvisation. The episode concludes with a reminder about the importance of knowledge in action and focused, effective practice.

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

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In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent answers a question from Marlene about ghost notes in jazz soloing. He describes ghost notes as less intentional and more of a stylistic and phrasing element in jazz improvisation.

Using the example of Charlie Parker's "Scrapple from the Apple," Brent illustrates how ghost notes are integrated into jazz melodies. He emphasizes that ghost notes are best learned organically through playing and phrasing jazz in a certain style, rather than planning them deliberately.

The episode concludes with a reminder about the importance of knowledge in action and the effectiveness of focused practice.

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

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In this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast, Brent explores the question of who the greatest jazz guitarist is. Acknowledging the subjectivity of such a determination, Brent highlights influential figures like Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, and many other jazz guitar legends.

Emphasizing the importance of studying various players regardless of one's instrument, Brent encourages listeners to delve into the unique sounds and styles of these guitarists to enhance their own musicality.

The episode concludes with a reminder that knowledge without action and quality practice is not truly beneficial.

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

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In this episode, Brent from Learn Jazz Standards addresses a question from Elmer Pickett about hand position on the guitar neck to enhance ease of play and minimize the risk of injury.

Brent emphasizes the importance of technique in playing jazz well but acknowledges exceptions. He shares a personal experience with bassist John Patitucci providing guidance on hand position.

Brent explores the idea that the best technique is the one that allows you to play your best, citing examples of famous musicians with different approaches. The episode concludes with a reminder to prioritize good posture and technique to avoid injury and ensure longevity in playing.

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!