The concept of what makes something swing is not only subjective but also rather abstract. That being said, we as jazz musicians generally know it when we hear it! In this episode, Brett goes through some different considerations when learning how to swing.

Playing on just one chord for an extended period can actually be trickier than it seems. If you just play within the corresponding scale, you might run out of ideas and it can lead to a boring solo. In this episode, Brett gives you some ideas to generate more harmonic motion when playing on one chord.

The 2 feel is an important element of swing. It sets the groundwork for the 4/4 swing that often comes later. While simple in theory, there are some things to consider when developing a good 2 feel.

I think we can all agree that gear does matter. It is the tool or tools that help us communicate our message as artists. That being said, sometimes equipment can get in the way of developing our craft if we place too much importance on it and get wrapped up in searching for the gear to make us better.

It’s a controversial topic! Is the Real Book a helpful tool to learn standards and be able to cut a gig by reading tunes you don’t know? Or is it a crutch that enables you to rely on your eyes and not your ears when learning or performing a tune?

In this episode, Brett explains his process for preparing music for a gig or recording. The process involves prioritizing practice time around what is most difficult. Listening to the material if possible is especially helpful.

Here are 5 more tips to help get your charts looking professional!

Having clean looking charts is super helpful when arranging or composing music for other musicians. The easier it is to read, the more efficient rehearsing the music will be. If it’s a sight reading situation, the players will have the best chance at performing the chart correctly the first time. Here are 5 tips to make a clean lead sheet!

Being a good player is certainly one important aspect of being a professional musician and we should all strive to better our playing but that is just one piece of the puzzle. Many times, the reason someone is called for a gig has more to do with other professional traits than musical ability. The best player isn’t always the most hired!

All of them. All the minor scales. But at the right time! There are quite a few different minor scales that are essential to know and they all have a different use. Context is key!