Playing Better over These Standards
How Well Do You Really Know These Tunes?
This short but revealing lesson puts your ear to the test—can you play the melody of a jazz standard starting on any note, (in any key), without relying on muscle memory or theory? It's not about memorizing the notes—it's about hearing the tunne.
Can You Sing the Tune Before You Play It? If not, this exercise might uncover the gap between knowing and hearing.
What Happens When You Play in a key Other Than your comfotable Key? Get out of your finger patterns and discover the melodies inside you.
Are You Thinking Your Way Through Tunes? Here's how to hear your way through—no theory required.
Five Standards, Five Unexpected Keys. The audio exercises below the video will stretch your ear and sharpen your intuition. (And you'll really know the tune!)
This lesson reveals how well you know certain tunes. Maybe not as well as you think?
Practice Melodies and Improvisation With These Standardards in Odd Keys
Listen to the first few notes played you as a hint, find them on your instrument and play the melody in that key once the rhythm begins.Use your ear to guide you through the melody and improvisation.
A jazz standard by Joseph Kosma, often played in Em or Gm. Perfect for practicing minor ii-V-I progressions.
Classic jazz standard composed by Ray Henderson. Features a distinct bridge section with circle of fifths movement.
Jerome Kern composition with rich harmony. Great for practicing modulations through multiple key centers.
Iconic bossa nova by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Features characteristic Latin rhythms and major/minor modal interchange.
Beautiful ballad by Johnny Mandel. Features lush harmonies and unexpected chord movements.