Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

In this episode, Brent addresses a crucial question posed by listener Troy West about bridging the gap between auditory imagination and instrumental execution in jazz improvisation. He offers invaluable insights and practical exercises to enhance the connection between what musicians hear in their minds and what they play on their instruments. He begins by discussing the fundamentals of ear training, emphasizing the importance of interval and chord recognition as essential skills for strengthening one's ear. Brent highlights the inner circle's dedicated ear training course, "How to Play What You Hear," as a valuable resource for aspiring jazz musicians seeking to refine their auditory perception and improvisational abilities. Continuing the discussion, Brent introduces two pivotal exercises: melodic dictation and learning melodies and solos by ear. Through melodic dictation, musicians develop the skill to swiftly translate musical ideas heard in their minds onto their instruments. Brent un