[Dixielandjazz] Getting into your Solo

[Stephen G Barbone]

Jim makes a good point. Listen to the last notes of the previous solo  
and then repeat them, or expand on them. That is, unless there is a  
lot of applause. Then you may want to wait for 2, 4, 6, or 8 bars  
before you start your solo.

On familiar tunes, practice coming in on the first bar, and then  
practice coming in on those bars mentioned above. Keep the melody in  
mind and you will be able to seamlessly get into a coherent solo. By  
knowing what the first chord of those bars is, and starting from  
there, you should be able to practice your beginning.

Another thing worth mentioning is that solos should have a coherent  
end. That makes it easy for the next soloist to begin.

And finally, IMO, solos should be coherent and build throughout. That  
means a logical beginning, a build up of tension and release  
throughout and finally that coherent ending which makes it easy for  
the next soloist to begin.

Those learning how to solo may wish to start on what ever bar, with  
the first couple of melody notes in that bar, and then take off on the  
improv.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband