[Dixielandjazz] Improvising

[JDut953944 at aol.com]

How did you first learn to improvise?  Was it by listening to records  or the 
radio?  I didn't know I could improvise or where to start.  At  the advice of 
a friend, I got Jamey Aebersole's book AVALON, that came with a  CD.  The 
melody was written out in a very simple fashion with a nice rhythm  background.  
Then there was a page that said, Play song 6 times.  (NO  music).  After a few 
peeps and squeaks, I finally got the hang of it and  took off, with this very 
nice rhythm group not laughing at me.  Let's see,  it's five years later - I 
still play that version of Avalon for my first song  when I practice, but I've 
gone way beyond that and my thanks to the fellow in  Marin County who told me 
he used the books quite frequently.  I also got  Aebersole's INDIANA, and a 
few others.  Avalon is also the first song  my band plays when we get gigs.  
Duet, trio, or six pieces.  The  audience always remembers Avalon.  
 
Carol, Clarinet
Carol's Jazz Cats
 
 



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