[Dixielandjazz] Improvise

[Trumpetom at aol.com]

Dan Augustine wrote in his bio:

>Still want to learn how to improvise (i hear it in my head, but can't
play it)

This applies to me, and not necessarily anyone else. Dan is blessed that he 
can hear the sounds he wants; many do not have that much imagination. I was 
blessed with this talent, but the curse was that I didn't know how to play the 
horn by ear to sound those notes. 

What helped me was playing scales & interval exercises hundreds of times 
(listening carefully to each note). I memorized all the patterns. Eventually I 
could play the desired tones without taking time to consider how to finger the 
instrument, and without considering  the name of the note; more like how someone 
whistles a tune. It was applying relative pitch to the instrument.

The other issue was taking a chance doing this in front others. It took a lot 
a lot of nerve to screw up in front of an audience (even when the audience 
was just my dog, or my wife in the other room). But covering up screwed up notes 
is another issue.

Tom Loeb, trumpet player
California