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You are here: Home / Jazz Lessons / Practice Habits / Memorizing Jazz Standards-Lesson 1

Memorizing Jazz Standards-Lesson 1

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 2 customer ratings
(2 customer reviews)

$9.99

SKU: 267 Category: Practice Habits Tags: jazz improvisation, jazz standards, learning, memorizing
  • Description
  • Reviews (2)

Description

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn and memorize jazz standards.  Most working jazz musicians have hundreds of  jazz standards that they have memorized and can play at any moment.  For many students,  learning these standards can be one of the most difficult tasks to complete.   They spend countless hours trying to memorize and play the standards they should know only to get on the gig  and fall apart.  It can be a very frustrating and intimidating experience.

In this lesson, I take you through the process that I find most effective in memorizing jazz standards.  I show you the complete process as I try to memorize a standard that I do not know (Yes, I do not know them all)  This is a revealing lesson for you because I take you through the beginning steps of how I think through the melody and chord changes.  I teach you the things I find the most effective when trying to memorize a song and the chord changes as well as warning you of the common road blocks we all face.  Believe me, I was horrible at this when I was younger so I hope to impart some of the things I have learned over the years  so you can benefit from them.  This is a great lesson to really digest so you can build up your jazz standard repertoire.  It is not easy nor will you find any magic here.  You will just find lots of advice  on what to practice  and how to practice it. This is Lesson 1 of 3. (31 minute video)

2 reviews for Memorizing Jazz Standards-Lesson 1

  1. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    John – February 20, 2011

    Big Big thanks to Steve for making this series of lessons, Steve gives some very honest views and detail on what he considers are the important areas to memorizing a jazz standard thoroughly. As usual the lessons are flavored with elements of Steve’s humor taken from his life experiences which easily connect with the listener in an enjoyable way. I am looking forward with anticipation to putting Steve’s thoughts to the test on the great choice of tune he uses throughout the lessons – ’Have You Met Miss Jones’

  2. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Chris Cole (verified owner) – February 23, 2018

    5 Stars! Steve’s four lessons on tune memorization are awesome. Very few players in this era are in the fortunate space where they’re blowing jazz gigs nightly. This makes learning and retaining jazz repertoire a real challenge. Steve’s well thought out approach in each of these lessons and his taking the time in those lessons to explain his thought process is pure gold. It’s rare to get a player of Steve’s calibre is actually slow down and take you through the actual steps he takes. I highly recommend all four of these lessons.

    chis cole

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I must say again how much I appreciate all your material. Including the video tutorials. It help keep me focused and knowing what to aim for. And your laid back teaching style appeals to me too. 

Thanks

P

P
First, I’m really excited about your materials! This site is a vast resource for any aspiring (and maybe already inspired) jazz musicians. I’m not a sax player, I play mandolin and fiddle, but have been learning jazz and playing weekly with a quintet for the past 6 months and have been struggling with all of the issues you get into in your lessons. I bought several books and lessons and plan to continue with some others as soon as I organize my practice routine. Thanks again for a great site … Read more
Tony Galfano

Hello Steve,

I just want to say thank you so much for your unbelievable work, it is just mind opening, thanks for sharing it.

Wolfgang from Berlin

Wolfgang from Berlin
Just a brief note to compliment you on your teaching skills and in particular for the honesty of your lessons.  I am a returning alto sax player in my 50’s and I was looking for a no nonsense, straight to the point kind of guidance. I had intended to email you with a few questions regarding the use of the bis key but then I noticed that there was a lesson on that specific topic and after viewing it,  all my questions were answered. I once took a group lesson with a well known professional sax … Read more
Patrick
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella

I want to thank you for your “Ultimate II-V-I Primer”  which has sent me off on a much better path to improvisation.  The primer and the four bound books I have will keep me busy for a long time.  I like your lessons for two reasons.  The lessons work and THEY ARE FUN.  Thanks again.

Robert

Robert
Hey Steve! I hope you and your family are well.  I’m just writing to say thank you so much for all the resources you have made available to the saxophone community. I have been using your material for many years and I always come back to it… in fact I just took a break from practicing to write this…( reviewing “CreatingModern II-V-I Lines with simple pentatonics”.) I am, and continue to be, one of your raving fans! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season! Wishing… Read more
Gerry Aylward
Hi Steve, I can’t express just how much I appreciate your teaching. My playing has improved so much over the past year since I have been studying and practicing with your lessons. It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks, these lessons are proof! Thanks, Michael Byington
Michael Byington
Your major diatonic patterns book is great. I”m studying the first twenty patterns (first twenty pages) each day with different articulation each day and slowly increasing the tempo each week or so.  There is a noticeable improvement in finger coordination across all keys and its amazing how much more secure I feel on the difficult keys when attempting to play pieces with 5+ flats/sharps. I’m able to sort out the fingerings for these pieces now much more quickly than before, often in one or two … Read more
Geoff
I just wanted to write a thank you note to you for this website. I play and teach saxophone, but I have always been intimidated by the gear aspect. Your website has helped me become a lot more knowledgable. Your knowledge is staggering! I’m telling all my students about your website. Pierre
Pierre

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