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Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

The Secret to Jazz Improvisation Revealed

Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Brent Vaartstra: Jazz Musician, Author, and Entrepreneur

Music Commentary, Jazz, Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Saxophone, Jazz Theory, Jazz Bass, Jazz Piano, Education, Music, Jazz Guitar, Jazz Solo, Jazz Standards, Jazz Trumpet, How To

4.8536 Ratings

🗓️ 1 May 2023

⏱️ 27 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Back when I was in college, going to music school, there was a running joke between me and my friends where we would, perhaps after practicing or playing a gig, proclaim that we had finally figured out the secret to jazz. It was a funny statement, I guess you could say. But the reason we would say such a thing is because, you know, at times jazz can be a little bit befuddling, like, confusing and frustrating and feeling like you're stuck. And how do you improvise better? How do you get to ...

Transcript

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0:00.0

This episode is sponsored by the Learned Jazz Standards Inner Circle.

0:03.8

If your goal is to level up your jazz playing this year and feel confident improvising over

0:08.5

jazz standards, the inner circle has everything you need and more.

0:13.0

With monthly jazz standards studies, a library of powerful courses, and a vibrant community

0:17.3

of like-minded musicians, you're guaranteed to improve your playing every

0:21.7

single month.

0:23.1

Podcast listeners can get 50% off their first month when you go to LJSinnerCircle.com.

0:29.5

That's LJSinnerCircle.com or find the link in the show notes.

0:34.8

Now, on to today's episode.

0:36.8

Back when I was in college, going to music school,

0:38.4

there was a running joke between me and some of my friends where we would, perhaps after

0:42.7

practicing or playing a gig, proclaim that we had finally figured out the secret to jazz, right?

0:49.1

What's a funny and a funny statement, I guess you could say. But the reason we would say

0:53.0

such a thing is because,

1:00.2

you know, at times jazz can be a little bit befuddling, like confusing and frustrating and feeling like you're stuck. And how do you improvise better? How do you get to the next level? How do you

1:04.2

sound like your favorite jazz musicians? It would be so easy if there is just a secret, right?

1:09.9

There must be some kind of secret out there that if you just knew this secret, everything would be so easy if there is just a secret, right? There must be some kind of secret out there

1:12.4

that if you just knew this secret, everything would be easier.

1:15.9

Well, that was just a joke back then,

1:18.1

but on today's podcast episode,

1:20.1

I'm actually taking it a little bit more seriously.

1:22.6

And sharing with you what I actually do believe today,

...

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