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Improvisation Improvisation and jazz are
of course best learned by listening, practicing, and participating in
groups. A web site probably will not
teach you to improvise. But, this page
can offer the following tips that may spark ideas. |
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At the heart of much jazz
improvisation is the rhythm. It is
still true that it don’t mean a thing if you ain’t
got that swing! Improvisation
generally requires that the player maintains a steady groove, or keeps
perfectly in line with the rhythm. If
you are just learning, you could simply practice running over whatever keys,
notes, and harmonies you want—just as long as you keep a rhythm going! That would definitely be considered jazz, just
really unsophisticated jazz! So how do you gain more
sophistication? For one, think about
where you begin and end your phrases.
This is often key in improvisation, listening
to even or especially the early Charlie Parker. Ending a phrase on the third has one feel,
the fifth another, the seventh yet another.
Or ending on an off-key such as the sharp four produces a different
sound. Listen to where players begin
and end their notes, and use those starting and ending points as tools for
saying what you want to say. Think about what scales go
with what harmonies. To start out, a
root major scale can be played over a ii-V-I. That is one of the most basic
situations. However, experimentation
and listening reveal infinitely more possibilities. For example, you could use a blues scale
over minor chords and dominant chords.
You could try a whole tone scale over a dominant chord. You could use a major scale on the b-iii of
a i chord. Put together your knowledge of scales with
different possibilities for voicings and harmonies,
and you will discover on your own a lot of ways to use theory in creating
improvisations. Also, try learning
patterns or licks. Examples include
intervals—play major thirds or major sixths.
Or use trills and turns. Or
copy licks you like off of recordings.
Then learn to transpose them and play them on the root, the third, the
seventh, or anywhere that sounds good in any key. These are just a few ideas
for picking up your improvisation. But
the best idea is always to listen to other players and practice yourself. |
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All articles (c) 1999-2006 by LIFTOFF! |