As a public school band director of 33 years, I know the difficulty of teaching jazz. Brent has practical solutions or pathways to and through the roadblocks of real jazz playing that many people experience. He has a low-key approach that is ironically very motivating! Check it out!

All of Brent’s podcasts are super and he’s such a generous soul for providing these to the community (even those who have a little trouble coughing up the cash for full LJS inner circle membership, though I’m sure that’s worth it’s weight in gold !). But even given all that, I couldn’t help commenting on what an absolute classic episode 332 is; for most of us geezers having access to something as useful as that would have been game changing but only accessible to those who had the rare opportunity of working with a master teacher.

Great advice for aspiring jazz musicians.

Great podcast, great community. I have listened to the first 52 episodes (first year of the podcast). I became a member of the inner circle, as an intermediate bassist with practically no experience playing jazz. I highly recommend membership as well as listening to the podcast I just finished listening to episode 300, and I celebrate everything that Brent and the crew have achieved so far. They have a great thing going here, and I look forward to seeing the community grow larger and richer going forward.

I am an amateur player with mid level skills, but I have loved Jazz since my childhood. Lessons did not get me where I want to go with my playing. I find that this podcast and all the other content created by Brent are just what I need to move forward in my own way. I will probably join the LJS community so that I have access to more of it. For now, I listen to the podcast everyday during my commute home in the car. It is intellectually stimulating, but not so demanding that I want to turn it off because my brain is tired. Thanks Brent! We appreciate your work and all your efforts.

Not annoying.

Started listening to episode 1 back in late August, listening on the commute every couple of days, inspired to improve by the pandemic. It took nearly 6 months, but I’m finally caught up! I consider myself an advanced player in rock and metal, but when it comes to jazz, and improv in general, I’m out of my element. I felt like I was behind my peers in college, knowing how to read okay as a guitarist, but not having that extra “edge.“ I finally feel like I know what I’ve been missing all these years, and have much more structure to my practicing than I ever have. I can relate to Brent’s story since it very much mirrors my own, and he’s a nice person to listen to for advice (and for long periods of time)! I can’t wait until the next episode!

R u looking for chill jazz BGM? The channel offers a great selection of easy- to-listen songs

Thanks for putting so much time and work into creating something for other musicians. Your podcast is a great resource.

Without question the best jazz education podcast!

This channel has hit the right balance for me between clear directives, positive/uplifting coaching, etc. I’m going through his Jazz Standards Playbook and the color coding and help with tips like memorizing melodies is so straightforward and helpful!

I had been interested in jazz for years, but didn’t know where to start. This podcast, coupled with the website, gave me the direction and encouragement I needed to get started. I’ve now been playing years and improving every day! Thanks for helping me fulfill a dream!

This podcast is amazing! I get so much out of this every week!

Wonderful podcast with lots of insightful material. Very consistent too. Perfect for those interested or just getting into playing jazz music.

I first discovered this podcast in August of 2019. After listening to that week’s episode I went back to the very first episode because I wanted to hear them all. Brent gives out so much valuable information in his podcasts regarding technique, repertoire, and language. He doesn’t just give great information. His calls to action make you put that information to good use. In the process of listening to the episodes I messed around and signed up for two of the classes he offers. I almost signed up for a third one but I’m still completing the other two. Today is December 1st, 2019. I am all caught up in the podcast, still continuing the classes and looking forward to the next episode. Keep the great info coming Brent.

I’ve started listening to Brents podcast because i was having many issues with my progress of getting better at playing jazz music . He covers so much material in helping you getting better as a musician from improv to theory , he tells you the truth straight up . It’s up to use after that

Both specific and global simultaneously- rare to find these in balance on similar podcasts. Lots of useful ideas and concepts. I will listen to everything on this thread

This show is very helpful and has helped me improve so much. I am in my first year of my membership in my middle school jazz band, and I’m probably the person who knows the most about jazz and music theory in general. I have grown so much in my playing since listening to this podcast. All that said, I definitely recommend this show.

Been a listener for a few months. I was gifted the ‘30 steps to better jazz improv’ course last Christmas and it has been so inspiring and helpful! Brent’s approach is very accessible for people who have musical knowledge as well as those who (like me) have been very rather informal in our training. :) Just so thankful for this podcast and Brent’s approach to music education.

Brent is both affable and informative as host, bringing his own depth of jazz knowledge and that of his guests who come from various music backgrounds. Not only does he offer practical advice about jazz theory and ear training, but his course outlines a very pragmatic approach to beginning a practice routine of your own, that you can tailor to your schedule, instrument, and musical background. He is also very realistic about the fact that the course is not for anyone who is not willing to commit to a practice routine, even if it’s only fifteen minutes a day. Furthermore, it is more than apparent that Brent indeed cares to teach jazz music, both because he loves the craft himself, and because he is excited to see others learn. Thanks so much to Brent and his team!

Very informative— interesting insight into why mastering this format is crucial to jazz study and a great starting point to more complex and longer song forms— thanks for the thoughtful presentation 👍

Good practical advice for aspiring jazzers, delivered in a warm and realistic manner. Thank you for your generous help.

I highly recommend this podcast for anyone who is looking to develop as a musician overall, regardless of the instrument you play. I have been playing for years but have not plunged deeply into jazz but have gospel roots. The information can take you a long ways if you look to implement what is being presented here. Best of luck to you all and enjoy listening!

The theory shared on this program can be applied to improvisation or composition. The show notes give the listener a chance to fully absorb the lesson. It has made me a better musician and more confident player. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to expand their skills.

I love this show! As a jazz guitarist or any instrument the show has amazing value every time. Brent is a great host and jazz musician. The show he had today had an incredible guest Nick Manella with some fresh new ideas about practicing and improving improvisational skills. Thanks!! MarlinaTeich

I truly enjoy these podcasts. Professionally done and so informative.

I’m an experienced drummer and beginner vibraphonist and this podcast is a great compliment to my lessons.

I love this podcast. I play classical piano and have always wanted to play by ear . This podcast has helped me so much. Brent has such a nice voice and is a good communicator. Thanks Brent!

Thanks so much Brent. I feel like this episode is one of the best I've come across in giving me a "toe -hold" into improvising and what a jazz musician thinks of while composing / improvising.

Brent consistently provides thoughtful learning materials for anyone interested in improving their grasp of jazz and improvisation. I've been playing for over forty years and teaching for over twenty and I still learn something every time i listen to a podcast or watch a video. Thanks Brent and everyone at LJS! You cats are raising the bar. Love it!

To hear the kind of theory analysis you’ll learn, just check out the Just Friends pentatonic scale episode. It will turn a cool but quirky melodic tune into a logical puzzle that actually makes sense. Thanks, Brent! Keep the education coming!

Brent provides great insight on how mindset helps you improve. He also provides concrete guidance on understanding jazz harmony. See episode 166 on Tune Up. A very clear explanation of harmony that can easily be confusing.

Each episode is full of useful information and inspiration. Brent is all about learning the music, and taking concrete steps toward mastery of the form. Brent mixes it up with solo episodes and episodes with amazing guests. Every episode includes things you can do, actions you can take, to move your playing and musicianship forward -- no matter the level of your musicianship.

Oh my goodness, this podcast is so amazing. Every podcast I listen to brings such great value. The one I just listened to I listened to twice to squeeze all the juice out of it I could. I’ve done that now a few times with these because the information is so practical. You can pull so many useful tips out of each episode to put into your practice and playing. I’m also taking one of Brett’s classes, and it is really challenging me but in a good way to be a better jazz musician. So glad I discovered LJS!

I love listening to LJS Podcast on the way to and from work to help make Atlanta traffic easier to deal with. You were curious if the Song Analysis podcasts are helpful. I LOVE them. Pleae do more.

I think this podcast speaks for itself (badumchhh), so I’ll keep it brief. This is a priceless resource for jazz musicians of all ability. They cover wide ranging topics, and Brent is an exceptional educator, coming across as very patient and straightforward when explaining difficult concepts (with the chops to match). Keep up the good work and thanks for everything you do!

Great analysis of this tune.

I stumbled upon this podcast while searching for info on ear training in preparation for a long drive. I found that and so much more. This podcast (and Brent's 30 Steps to Better Jazz Playing course) has been so important to my development as a musician!!! Brent's style and focus is always about helping you become a better musician. I think it's important to mention you don't have to be a jazz musician or "jazz head" to get value from this podcast. Don't be intimidated or skip it. No matter what your musical style you will get something out of it that you can apply to your playing.

I enjoyed the Brain hacking interview with Rodney Brim. I think those topics can apply to many kinds of musicians as well as other creative areas of life.

Brent is very effective at demystifying the process of building jazz skills. I especially like episodes when he analyzes and plays sections of a standard.

This podcast has definitely built my confidence through a whole new spin how to approach improv to overcome "pitfalls and roadblocks".

Let me save you some time. This entire podcast can be condensed to 1 sentence... Learn everything in music, then you should be able to play jazz.

This is so very useful for all levels. Take notes. Write factoids. Begin to arrange them into concepts. Get your work-out in, and understand where it gets you.

I am a relatively newer musician, never learned to play music until I retired. Now I am trying to catch up and the LJS website and podcasts are really helping me immensly. I have been listening to all of the Podcasts and enjoy the conversation as well as learn new things about playing Jazz.

Brent consistently delivers podcasts that are relevant to me and I suspect to many others with similar backgrounds and competencies. Always well done with content that can help aspiring jazz musicians at almost any level and/or instrument. Thanks, Brent, for your hard work.

I am so grateful to Brent for the outstanding information he is making available. LJS helps you to get your practice focused and goal-oriented. I spent many years "practicing" without an underlying framework for why I was doing what I was doing. I made progress, but can only imagine the amazing progress I would have made had I been exposed to a resource such as LJS from the start. I believe I would have developed musically at a rate much much faster had that been the case. Brent will help you determine what you need to practice and how to practice it effectively. You will learn to get organized and be systematic in your practicing. The days of feeling unsure about your practice and wondering if you are focusing on the right stuff are over if you begin listening to this podcast, buy Brent's books, watch his videos, etc. The mystery behind what makes great jazz musicians great will be abolished and you will realize that you have the potential to become great yourself if you focus on the right stuff. Thank you Brent for your amazing work.

Learn Jazz Standards is a fantastic resource for all musicians, regardless of their genre of focus. I find that some of the episodes are geared toward experienced players, while others cater to the novice. That said, every episode seems to have gems for all levels of play. Perhaps most import, is that the episodes motivate me to woodshed, and they give me material to implement into my practice sessions that I might not otherwise work on. All in all, Learn Jazz Standards presents excellent material in an easy to follow format.

I've been listening to Brent and his excellent podcast for over a year and it has paid off tremendously to help me learn about jazz how to play jazz. He hits the right topics and provides clear information and very useful notes and handouts. In fact, I just copied down his most recent episode and plan to use it to go work on those Rhythm Changes changes! Keep up the good work!

I’ve been listening to this show on and off for years. As a full time teacher and jazz musician of course I was excited to see that there was a podcast on my favorite subject. There is another similar podcast by a Canadian jazz guitarist that I listen to from time to time. I am disappointed in both podcasts because there is little if any playing of actual music to go along with the concepts that are discussed. Music is completely about sound. It doesn’t make sense to me to speak about it and expect the listener to make the connection to what the exercise, technique etc really is without actual played examples. If that were part of this podcast it would take it from okay to terrific. One other almost comical question: why is the segue theme that awful hip hop sounding snippet when this is a jazz show?

Keeps me motovated and up on all areas of Jazz to become better player