Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

In this episode, Brent discusses an intriguing question posed by listener Alan Kahn regarding the challenge of transitioning to a wind synthesizer from the trumpet and recapturing the ability to play by ear. Alan shares his previous experiences playing trumpet in various musical settings without extensive music theory knowledge, relying solely on his intuitive ability to improvise and captivate audiences. However, upon switching to the wind synthesizer and adapting to saxophone fingering, Alan finds himself grappling with the need to redevelop his capacity to play by ear. Brent expertly dissects Alan's dilemma, shedding light on the fundamental relationship between auditory perception and instrumental proficiency in jazz improvisation.Brent emphasizes the critical role of muscle memory in bridging the gap between mental musical concepts and their execution on the instrument. Drawing parallels between conscious pattern recognition and subconscious improvisational fluency, He underscores the necessity of d