LJS 02: How to Properly Learn a Jazz Standard




Welcome to episode 2 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to properly learn a jazz standard. In this episode we talk about why learning jazz standards is so important and 5 great steps to learning a jazz standard so you can really own it. Find out how!
Listen to episode 2




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In this episode

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Why learning jazz standards is important.

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Listen to the tune.

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Listen to a variety of different versions and take your time.

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Buy different versions or use resources like Youtube or Spotify to research the song.



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Learn the melody by ear.

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Learn it by ear not with sheet music.

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Be able to sing it before bringing it to your instrument.

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Listen to artists who play/sing the melody straight such as Frank Sinatra.



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Learn the harmony by ear.

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Learn it by ear before checking with a fakebook or sheet music.

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Use the bass as your guide to find the roots, and the accompany instrument to identify the quality of the chord.



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Practice the tune in different keys.

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Put what you learned to the test by being able to play it outside of the original key.

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Helps you develop you ear and understand how the chords relate to each other.



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Find someone to jam with.


Listen to Episode 1: 4 Habits For Better Practicing
Further reading:
Why Learn Jazz Standards?
How to Learn the Melody of a Jazz Standard By Ear
How to Learn a Jazz Standard and Not Forget It
50 Jazz Standards You Need to Know
How do you learn jazz standards? Leave a comment below.



Om Podcasten

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!