[Dixielandjazz] RE: DJML Issue 46 /Jim to Dan Augustine / improvisation

[tito martino]

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

Dan, you've got the perfect record collection to learn with.  Put on a
record, listen to the bass line, and copy it.  Play it note by note the
same, and you'll start catching the changes.  Don't sweat the theory,
just use your ears.  Once you're able to hear the changes, you can start
adding your own notes.  Eventually, you can train yourself to aurally
block out the recorded tuba and take his place.  Play your "solo" during
the piano or banjo solo, and the rest of the time....do your rhythm bit.
Do it, do it, and do it some more. It will happen for you.  Perhaps your
biggest hurdle will be because you know too much theory, which may sound
peculiar, but your "head" may be getting in the way of your "ears".

Jim >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hey, Jim!
How do you dare reveal these secrets publicly?  ;-)  (VBG)

Dan, follow what Jim said, he knows the trade. Do it, do it again. It
will happen, I grant you. Don't let your "head" get in the way of your
"ears".
Now, an exercise:  Jim said: 
"Once you're able to hear the changes, you can start adding your own
notes"  - developing that: if you hear the changes, as soon as you
identify (aurally) the basic note, the root from that particular chord
in that bar, you play quickly over it its arpeggio; example: you listen
to a root C,  you play C, E, G, high C.
And so on in every bar, if F is another root, you play F, C, A, high F.
Soon you will add different notes to each arpeggio and then....
presto!.. you're improvising!
Do it, but don't forget, when you play with a Band, a tuba is not a
clarinet....

Tito

 

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