The Jazz Standards Playbook
10 Jazz Standard Studies That Will Level-Up Your Jazz Playing
The Jazz Standards Playbook
10 Jazz Standard Studies That Will Level-Up Your Jazz Playing
Have you ever struggled to play jazz standards? Maybe they feel too difficult for you to improvise over, too challenging to memorize, or maybe, you just don’t understand how the harmony works.
I get it. I’ve walked in your shoes. And that’s why I’m going to help you unravel the mystery…
Welcome to The Jazz Standards Playbook!
Explore what I call the “10 Master Standards” that will help you understand, navigate, and confidently play any jazz tune you come across.
Stop feeling confused by jazz standards, and let’s take a look under the hood together to see what’s going on!
In case you don’t know me, my name is Brent Vaartstra. I’m a professional jazz musician, educator, author, and podcaster. But I’m best known as the jazz musician behind the internationally followed website Learn Jazz Standards.com.
I wrote The Jazz Standards Playbook because my students, readers and podcast listeners often wonder how to approach jazz standards.
How do they work? How do I improvise over them? Which ones should I learn, analyze, and study to get the best results? If you’ve ever wondered those things, you are in the right place.
The Jazz Standards Playbook walks you through in-depth studies of what I call my “10 Master Jazz Standards.” These are not only important to know, they contain very important harmonic lessons that can help us understand any other jazz standard.
Welcome to The Jazz Standards Playbook!
Explore what I call the “10 Master Standards” that will help you understand, navigate, and confidently play any jazz tune you come across.
Stop feeling confused by jazz standards, and let’s take a look under the hood together to see what’s going on!
In case you don’t know me, my name is Brent Vaartstra. I’m a professional jazz musician, educator, author, and podcaster. But I’m best known as the jazz musician behind the internationally followed website Learn Jazz Standards.com.
I wrote The Jazz Standards Playbook because my students, readers and podcast listeners often wonder how to approach jazz standards.
How do they work? How do I improvise over them? Which ones should I learn, analyze, and study to get the best results? If you’ve ever wondered those things, you are in the right place.
The Jazz Standards Playbook walks you through in-depth studies of what I call my “10 Master Jazz Standards.” These are not only important to know, they contain very important harmonic lessons that can help us understand any other jazz standard.
Welcome to The Jazz Standards Playbook!
Explore what I call the “10 Master Standards” that will help you understand, navigate, and confidently play any jazz tune you come across.
Stop feeling confused by jazz standards, and let’s take a look under the hood together to see what’s going on!
In case you don’t know me, my name is Brent Vaartstra. I’m a professional jazz musician, educator, author, and podcaster. But I’m best known as the jazz musician behind the internationally followed website Learn Jazz Standards.com.
I wrote The Jazz Standards Playbook because my students, readers and podcast listeners often wonder how to approach jazz standards.
How do they work? How do I improvise over them? Which ones should I learn, analyze, and study to get the best results? If you’ve ever wondered those things, you are in the right place.
The Jazz Standards Playbook walks you through in-depth studies of what I call my “10 Master Jazz Standards.” These are not only important to know, they contain very important harmonic lessons that can help us understand any other jazz standard.
The “10 Master Standards”
So what jazz standards will you study? These are the ones that I cover from top to bottom.
#1: Autumn Leaves
#2: Blue Bossa
#3: All of Me
#4: It Could Happen to You
#5: Sweet Georgia Brown
#6: So What
#7: On Green Dolphin Street
#8: Have You Met Miss Jones
#9: All the Things You Are
#10: Stella by Starlight
The “10 Master Standards”
So what jazz standards will you study? These are the ones that I cover from top to bottom.
#1: Autumn Leaves
#2: Blue Bossa
#3: All of Me
#4: It Could Happen to You
#5: Sweet Georgia Brown
#6: So What
#7: On Green Dolphin Street
#8: Have You Met Miss Jones
#9: All the Things You Are
#10: Stella by Starlight
What you will learn:
Each jazz standard study is packed with important resources, and lessons to help you unlock and understand these jazz standards.
How to analyze jazz standards with roman numerals. So you can understand the chord changes.
Key improvisational concepts. Using 10 actionable improv lessons based on the studies.
How to learn jazz standards using the LIST method. So that you know them deeply.
Key harmonic lessons in jazz standards. So that every other tune is 10X easier to understand.
What you will learn:
Each jazz standard study is packed with important resources, and lessons to help you unlock and understand these jazz standards.
How to analyze jazz standards with roman numerals. So you can understand the chord changes.
Key improvisational concepts. Using 10 actionable improv lessons based on the studies.
How to learn jazz standards using the LIST method. So that you know them deeply.
Key harmonic lessons in jazz standards. So that every other tune is 10X easier to understand.
The Core Lesson Materials
Each jazz standard study includes three important core materials to support your learning experience.
The Chord Map
The Chord Map shows you all of the chords in the song, including basic piano and guitar voicings, but most importantly, the chord tones in each chord.
The Guide Tones Chart
The Guide Tones Chart identifies the important notes you need to target in each chord and shows you how to connect these together. It serves as a great tool to jump-start your improvisation.
The Chords Analysis
The Chord Analysis is the most valuable resource. It walks you through a roman numeral analysis of the chords, with color-coding to help organize and make sense of the harmony.
The Core Lesson Materials
Each jazz standard study includes three important core materials to support your learning experience.
The Chord Map
The Chord Map shows you all of the chords in the song, including basic piano and guitar voicings, but most importantly, the chord tones in each chord.
The Guide Tones Chart
The Guide Tones Chart identifies the important notes you need to target in each chord and shows you how to connect these together. It serves as a great tool to jump-start your improvisation.
The Chords Analysis
The Chord Analysis is the most valuable resource. It walks you through a roman numeral analysis of the chords, with color-coding to help organize and make sense of the harmony.
What’s included?
What’s included?
195-page pdf eBook full of jazz lessons
Audio examples and backing tracks
Tons of exercises and examples
195-page pdf eBook full of jazz lessons
Audio examples and backing tracks
Tons of exercises and examples
The Jazz Standards Playbook by itself is incredibly valuable, and you can get just the eBook. But because I believe real musical transformation can only come if we take massive, determined action, I’ve created a companion course for those who want to take the extra step…
The Jazz Standards Playbook by itself is incredibly valuable, and you can get just the eBook. But because I believe real musical transformation can only come if we take massive, determined action, I’ve created a companion course for those who want to take the extra step…
The Companion Course
The primary goals of the companion course help you get the very most out of The Jazz Standards Playbook.
Helps you actually finish the book. So that you get the full benefits.
Helps you take action. By getting assignments and posting on the Community Discussion Board.
Provides a community. So you can take the journey with others going through the book.
The Companion Course
The primary goals of the companion course help you get the very most out of The Jazz Standards Playbook.
Helps you actually finish the book. So that you get the full benefits.
Helps you take action. By getting assignments and posting on the Community Discussion Board.
Provides a community. So you can take the journey with others going through the book.
Here’s what you get:
Here’s what you get:
Here’s what people are saying about The Jazz Standards Playbook:
Brent in his newest publication achieves freshness, rigor, and making learning appealing and attractive. The layout of the e-book is beyond delight. In Brent’s masterful, sereine, and yet rigorously structured lessons there is no place for loftiness. And so he says: “I want you to take action”. And at the same time, he assures the student that “I’m not going to leave you hanging”. Great achievement, Brent! Thank you for this gift!”
Anne from Berlin
PianistI purchased the Learn Jazz Standards Playbook together with the video course. I really like the training approach in this material! I’m learning the theory behind the songs, how the chords are constructed and how they relate together. It is fun and challenging to learn. Furthermore, the extra video course is really motivating to keep you going and practicing. Thanks, Brent!
Wim from The Netherlands
Tenor SaxophonistThe Jazz Standards Book and videos demystify the workings of making music without making it seem like too much work. I have been woodshedding for forty years and learned more in my first week with this course than I thought possible. I can’t wait to follow the footsteps of jazz pioneers and take some Giant Steps!
Will from California
Flutist and SaxophonistThanks, Brent! You have a great approach to teaching this stuff, very inspirational and explained in a clear and logical fashion. The challenges are difficult enough to get me practicing but not overwhelming. Keep up the good work!
Maximillian from Austria,
ClarinetHere’s what people are saying about The Jazz Standards Playbook:
Brent in his newest publication achieves freshness, rigor, and making learning appealing and attractive. The layout of the e-book is beyond delight. In Brent’s masterful, sereine, and yet rigorously structured lessons there is no place for loftiness. And so he says: “I want you to take action”. And at the same time, he assures the student that “I’m not going to leave you hanging”. Great achievement, Brent! Thank you for this gift!”
Anne from Berlin
PianistI purchased the Learn Jazz Standards Playbook together with the video course. I really like the training approach in this material! I’m learning the theory behind the songs, how the chords are constructed and how they relate together. It is fun and challenging to learn. Furthermore, the extra video course is really motivating to keep you going and practicing. Thanks, Brent!
Wim from The Netherlands
Tenor SaxophonistThe Jazz Standards Book and videos demystify the workings of making music without making it seem like too much work. I have been woodshedding for forty years and learned more in my first week with this course than I thought possible. I can’t wait to follow the footsteps of jazz pioneers and take some Giant Steps!
Will from California
Flutist and SaxophonistThanks, Brent! You have a great approach to teaching this stuff, very inspirational and explained in a clear and logical fashion. The challenges are difficult enough to get me practicing but not overwhelming. Keep up the good work!
Maximillian from Austria,
ClarinetIt’s time to get started!
Versions for C, Bb, Eb and Bass Clef instruments. For all skill levels.
eBook Only
$ 35
- 193 PDF eBook full of jazz lessons
- Audio examples and backing tracks
- Tons of exercises and examples to work through
Most Popular
eBook + Companion Course
$ 99
- All 4 eBook instrument versions
- In-depth video tutorials
- Course Community
- Trackable progress
- Bonus: Giant Steps Study
eBook Only (Vol 1 & 2)
$ 70
- The Jazz Standards Playbook Vol. 1
- The Jazz Standards Playbook Vol. 2
- 20 total studies of important jazz standards
BEST
eBook + Companion Course (Vol 1 & 2)
$ 170$ 190
- -$20 Discount
- Vol. 1 Companion Course
- Vol. 2 Companion Course
- In-depth video tutorials
- Course Community
- Trackable progress
- Bonus: Giant Steps Study
- Bonus: Mindful Jazz Listening Masterclass (45 min)
OR
Become an Inner Circle Member!
Save money and gain access to everything Learn Jazz Standards has to offer:
- The Jazz Standards Playbook Course + access to all LJS courses
- Jazz Standards Club access (monthly standard study)
- Access to a growing library of Basics 101 courses
- Monthly Jazz Mastermind access (live Q&A calls)
- Premium Community Forums and Practice Groups)
Only $29/month or $288/year!
I’m so confident you’re going to love The Jazz Standards Playbook, that I’m willing to make a guarantee- a 30-Day, 100% Money-Back Guarantee.
- If you’ve gone through the book and have done the work, yet don’t feel like you’ve gotten value out of this eBook, send me an email, show me you did the work, and I’ll refund all of your money (I’ll even eat the credit-card processing fees). Me and the team here at LJS believe in this book and we’ll take responsibility for it.
I’m so confident you’re going to love The Jazz Standards Playbook, that I’m willing to make a guarantee- a 30-Day, 100% Money-Back Guarantee.
- If you’ve gone through the book and have done the work, yet don’t feel like you’ve gotten value out of this eBook, send me an email, show me you did the work, and I’ll refund all of your money (I’ll even eat the credit-card processing fees). Me and the team here at LJS believe in this book and we’ll take responsibility for it.
Do I need to be able to read music to use The Jazz Standards Playbook?
It can be very helpful to have a basic understanding of reading music on your instrument. You don’t need to be a fantastic reader, just enough to decipher the musical examples. Audio examples accompany every example and exercise in the book, and this will help you especially if you’re a novice reader.
Are there notated melodies of the jazz standards in the book?
No. Due to copyright law and after much consideration and discussion with the rights holders, we decided not to include melodies.
However, jazz, and especially melodies, is best learned by ear. In the book, I give you all the resources you need to do this, including an intro chapter walking you through the LIST method for learning jazz standards by ear.
Can I benefit from The Jazz Standards Playbook if I'm trying to learn a new instrument?
You can, but The Jazz Standards Playbook does not teach you how to play your instrument. While the book does explain basic-advanced music theory concepts to help you through the studies, I would suggest working on your instrument fundamentals before diving into this book.
I'm an intermediate-advanced jazz player. Can The Jazz Standards Playbook help me?
Absolutely! Regardless of whether you are a beginner or advanced player, these studies can be extremely beneficial.
I'm new to jazz. Is this a good book for me?
Definitely! The Jazz Standards Playbook is written to help you understand the core material. Just be sure that you already know the fundamentals of your instrument.
Should I get this book even if I know some or all of the jazz standards?
Absolutely 100%. While I give you all the resources you need to actually learn these 10 jazz standards, this is beside the point.
The goal of this book is to dive in deep to these standards and draw important lessons from them to help you understand jazz harmony and improvisation better. Even if you know all of them already, you will get immense value from this book.
How do I know which version of the book to get?
This book was designed for all melodic instruments. We have versions for C, Bb, Eb, and Bass Clef instruments.
Each version has been transposed from the original to fit the ranges of all instruments.
Some common C instruments are guitar, piano, and flute.
Common Bb instruments are tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet and trumpet.
Common Eb instruments are alto saxophone and baritone saxophone.
Common Bass Clef instruments are upright bass, electric bass and trombone.
Make sure you know which concert pitch your instrument is tuned to.
I'm a drummer. Is this eBook good for me?
While this book is aimed towards melodic and harmonic instruments, drummers can still benefit from these studies. Drummers have a responsibility to know the form and understand harmony as well, and so The Jazz Standards Playbook can be a helpful resource to have.
Is this book different from your 15 Essential Jazz Etudes book?
Quite different. 15 Essential Jazz Etudes is a much shorter book with etudes for a handful of jazz standards and little instruction. The Jazz Standards Playbook Vol. 2 is a full-on method and resource book that has in-depth instruction, analysis, and teaching. That being said, the etudes book could be a helpful companion to this one.
I'd like to use the material or companion course for my students or classroom. How can I purchase a class copy?
The Jazz Standards Playbook has been transposed from its original version for C, Bb, Eb, and bass clef instruments. If you’d like to use this eBook or companion course as a teaching resource for your students, contact us about purchasing for a larger group!