LJS 183: Analyzing a Good and Bad Jazz Solo (What Makes a Good Solo)




Welcome to episode 183 of the LJS Podcast where today we listen to two solos I've recorded in the past. We'll listen to one that I'm proud of and checks off the boxes of a good jazz solo, and we'll also listen to one I'm not so proud of. I analyze what made the good one good, and the bad one bad.
Listen to episode 183







I talk a lot about in this podcast analyzing your own jazz playing, listening back to recordings of yourself and analyzing and digging in to what you can work on and what you can do better.
One thing to do is to listen to a jazz solo you play that you really are proud of, one that you really think defines what you are going after musically, and also listening to one that you feel a little bit disappointed with, maybe even slightly embarrassed to show to others.
And that's exactly what I'm going to do in today's episode. I'm going to show you a jazz solo that I'm proud of and a jazz solo I kind of don't want anyone to listen to.







In this episode:
1. My 3 elements of what makes a good jazz solo
2. My "good" jazz solo with a vocal, bass, guitar trio
3. My "bad" jazz solo over my original composition
4. 3 things I could do to improve my solo and make it better







Thanks for listening to this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast. If you aren't already, make sure you are subscribed on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
I look forward to having you join me in the next episode!
Important Links
LJS 178: Becoming Your Own Jazz Teacher by Recording Yourself (feat. Jens Larsen)
LJS 141: What I Think About When I Take a Jazz Solo
LJS 136: I Critique My Jazz Playing from 7 Years Ago



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!