LJS 155: 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.
Listen to episode 155







As jazz musicians, we often make jazz improvisation super complicated for ourselves. It's a natural reaction to the nature of jazz music, which let's face it, is a bit complicated.
But the truth is, if we want to become the best improvisers we can be, we need to simplify. We need to think less and create more.
On today's show, we have special guest Christopher Sutton from Musical U back on the show. He talks to us about their approach to improvisation, and specifically the idea of "musical playgrounds."
The best thing about having Christopher as a guest is he is not a jazz musician. His perspective is refreshing and quite helpful for making things feel comfortable and simple.
This episode is rock solid, so get ready to take some notes.







In this episode:
1. The mindset of an improviser (the non-jazz perspective).
2. "Musical Playgrounds," what they are, and how to think about them.
3. Different ways to apply the concept of Musical Playgrounds to your improvisation.
4. Important ear training skills for improvisers to work on.
5. Common mistakes beginner improvisers make.







Thanks to Christopher Sutton for sharing so much value in this episode. If we apply this concept of musical playgrounds, we can start feeling more creative, less tense, and more musical.
Let me know in the comments:
How are you going to apply the concept of "Musical Playgrounds" to your practicing this week?
Important Links
Christopher Sutton's Musical U
LJS 81: How to Set Game-Changing Goals for Your Musicianship (feat. Christopher Sutton)



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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!