Improvisation is a language.
If we would approach improvisation in the same manner that we learn to speak verbally, we might be more successful.
When we speak, we are in fact improvsing through our linguistic skills.
One learns this musical langauge — improvisation — in the same manner, by listening and imitating.
As the person grows thru imitatio, he develops a musical vocab that expresses what he wishes to communicate.
As these improv become more refined and sophisticated, the player will eventually begin to develop his own voice, but in music, like speaking, this development takes place over an extended period of time. And in the case of musicians, usually by only those who have been hooked by the music.
Improvising through life on a daily basis is something that most of us take for granted. Each day, events happen that require us to alter our plans and improvise. It maybe momentary or it may be life-changing. WE adapt and survive for the most part by being flexible.
Experience usually pays off when unexpected events happen and cause us to veer off our normal paths.
Jazz masters — a strong desire to play music, a certain lack of fear of experimenting, not prejudging the outcome of a solow, an dmuch parctice so that mind and fingers cooperate spontaneously.
Improvising a memorable solow is a lot like composing a memorable melody.
Great soloists do just that. they improvise great melodies.
They have tons of techniques and play lots of fast licks and fancy scales, but they use all that technique to fashion solos that contain real melodies, they say something and go somewhere and stick in your head long after the tune is over.
Learn how to improvise melodically.
To get to that point: learn the baiscs first.
- learn how to base a solow on an existing melody.
- learn how to play all different types of fancy chords
- learn all manner of scales and modes
- and how to apply those scales to specific chord progressions
- learn the little tricks that make your solos more exciting.
After you master all that, combine all those techniques to create melodic phrases
When you can improvise melodically, you have audiences hanging on your every note.