Monthly Archives: June 2010

Keeping a List of Jazz Standards

June 30, 2010 in Learning Jazz

Have you ever shown up to a gig without any idea of what songs you would do? I certainly have. There is a certain confidence that comes with knowing that you can do a four hour gig of jazz standards without a set-list. Set-lists can be confining, which is never a desirable thing for an improviser. We are, by nature, people who excel in the moment, and creating something from nothing. It is especially rewarding to play in band that creates great music without set-lists, fakebooks, charts, or even music stands. Certainly some masterful musicians can play a memorable, even [...]

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Say Mama, part 2 Guest Post by Brent Jensen

June 29, 2010 in Learning Jazz

This is part two of Brent Jensen’s series on learning licks and creating authentic-sounding jazz lines. This two-part series shows us how a beginning jazz player should approach learning to improvise convincingly in the jazz style by learning “licks” of the masters! This concept is directed toward beginners, but can be applied by all musicians, regardless of skill level. The handout is also below as a link. Say Mama Handout

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Say Mama-Learning to Play Authentic Sounding Jazz Licks Guest Post by Brent Jensen

June 28, 2010 in Learning Jazz

Brent Jensen, recording artist for Origin Records and Professor of Jazz Studies at the College of Southern Idaho, has done another great post for us! This two-part series shows us how a beginning jazz player should approach learning to improvise convincingly in the jazz style by learning “licks” of the masters! This concept is directed toward beginners, but can be applied by all musicians, regardless of skill level. The handout is also below as a link. Say Mama Handout

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Impressions by John Coltrane

June 25, 2010 in Jazz Standards

This is one of my favorite tunes, and it’s definitely my favorite play along I’ve created so far! It’s the most modern sounding of the play alongs, being very much jazz with a hint of hop-hop. I love it! Learn this tune. It has the same changes as So What, which makes sense because Trane was in Miles’ band. It’s a much faster tune than So What, however, and it’s more aggressive. Impressions changes Impressions-C Instruments (.pdf) Impressions-Bb Instruments (.pdf) Impressions-Eb Instruments (.pdf) Impressions-Roman Numeral changes The Masters Play Impressions on Amazon! Amazon.com Widgets Impressions Play Along Jazz/Hip Hop John [...]

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There Is No Greater Love

June 24, 2010 in Jazz Standards

I love this tune! The Real Book has the third chord as an Ab7, though the majority of recordings I’ve found seem to prefer a D-7. I wouldn’t say the Ab7 is necessarily “wrong” though, as several some recordings use the Ab7. Learn to navigate both, and use your ears at jam sessions! There Is No Greater Love pdf There Is No Greater Love-C Instruments (.pdf) There Is No Greater Love-Bb Instruments (.pdf) There Is No Greater Love-Eb Instruments (.pdf) There Is No Greater Love-Roman Numeral changes Reputable Players Playing There Is No Greater Love Amazon.com Widgets It’s cool to [...]

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There Will Never Be Another You

June 23, 2010 in Jazz Standards

I’ve been fascinated by this jazz standard ever since I was in high school. I was at the Lionel Hampton jazz festival in Moscow, Idaho, which is the biggest jazz festival in the world by student participants. I still remember hearing the Outstanding High School soloists on each instrument jam on this tune with no music at the evening concert. They sounded incredible. I HAD to learn this tune! The last 5 bars have so many different changes on different recordings that it’s impossible to say what the “right” changes are. I have chosen to go with the Chet Baker/Oscar [...]

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Seven Steps to Heaven by Brent Jensen Step 7

June 22, 2010 in Learning Jazz

This is the last video for Brent Jensen’s series “Seven Steps to Heaven.” Brent has been showing us how he approaches learning tunes. Brent was a student of alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, and is now a recording artist for Origin records. Check out his recordings on Amazon.com and his websites listed below! Thanks for checking out this series on www.Learnjazzstandards.com. Stay posted for more articles and guest posts by Brent and other great musicians! Brent Jensen’s Recordings null Feel free to listen to some of this awesome material Brent recorded. He’s got some great stuff! It’s just fun to hear [...]

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Seven Steps to Heaven by Brent Jensen VIDEO Part 6

June 21, 2010 in Learning Jazz

Brent Jensen’s video post on part 6 of his series Seven Steps to Heaven on learning jazz standards. Brent Jensen is a recording artists for Origin records and a professor of jazz studies at the College of Southern Idaho. He’s an extremely valuable resource, and we are pleased to present his videos on www.Learnjazzstandards.com! Check out all 7 videos-you will learn a lot! Brent Jensen’s Recordings null Brent has made some awesome recordings! It’s just fun to hear a sample of what he has recorded. Also, any purchases of these songs or albums made through this site will help Brent [...]

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Seven Steps to Heaven-by Brent Jensen Step 5

June 19, 2010 in Learning Jazz

Here’s Brent Jensen’s Step 5 of his series on learning tunes. Enjoy! Brent Jensen’s Recordings null Brent has made some awesome recordings! It’s just fun to hear a sample of what he has recorded. Also, any purchases of these songs or albums made through this site will help Brent Jensen, Origin records, and this website will even get a little kickback from anything you order through Amazon. We appreciate your support so we can continue the website! Thank you. Video’s Handout Brent Jensen’s Seven Steps to Heaven (.pdf) SEVEN STEPS TO HEAVEN by Brent Jensen (with thanks to Jiggs Whigham) [...]

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Seven Steps to Heaven by Brent Jensen VIDEO, Step 4

June 19, 2010 in Learning Jazz

Here’s Brent’s video on Step 4. He’s done a wonderful job preparing these incredible videos for us! Thank you Brent. Stay posted for all Seven Steps (8 total). Brent Jensen’s Recordings Amazon.com Widgets Feel free to listen to some of this awesome material Brent recorded. He’s got some great stuff! It’s just fun to hear a sample of what he has recorded. Also, any purchases of these songs or albums made through this site will help Brent Jensen, Origin records, and this website will even get a little kickback from anything you order through Amazon. We appreciate your support so [...]

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