How to Learn New Music Fast (And Make It Sound Like You've Always Known It!)

You got the call. The music is deep, the deadline is short - you've got maybe a day, maybe a car ride, before you're expected to play it like you've known it for years. In Episode 2 of Upright Citizens, Bob and Reuben break down how professional musicians actually learn new music fast: not through some trick, but through a specific way of listening. They react to Ulysses Owens Jr.'s "Better Days," Bob tells the story of learning an entire live set on a six-hour drive to Fayetteville with zero charts, Reuben tells his own story of jumping into Gerald Clayton's trio on a day's notice, and they break down the exact order of what to listen for - form, feel, key, and the lines that actually matter - plus why it's okay to mess it up along the way.Click here to watch a video of this episode. (00:00) Cold open(00:22) Welcome to Upright Citizens(00:38) Today's topic: learning fast(01:02) Listen to This: Ulysses Owens(02:46) A word from Open Studio(03:09) Bob's story: the Fayetteville gig(06:24) How to listen: intent and repetition(07:27) Order of importance: form, feel, key(08:27) Know just enough to let go(09:07) Reuben's story: the Gerald Clayton gig(12:33) Deep listening in the moment(16:09) The non-negotiable takeaway(16:41) Learning from a person vs. the page(18:10) The 3 keys to learning fast(19:18) CloseABOUT OPEN STUDIO -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob and Reuben both have their own in-depth bass courses on OpenStudioJazz.com, alongside Masters like Christian McBride and Ron Carter - dig deeper into everything you hear on this show.As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey. Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you're a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.  Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/aboutClick here to view the episode transcript. ★ Support this podcast ★