[Dixielandjazz] Improvisation

[Stephen G Barbone]

And don't forget EARS.

An accomplished improvisor should be able to HEAR the chords of a song  
the first time it is played as long as it is not too convoluted. Most  
OKOM is relatively easy to HEAR.

Barbone Street always makes it a point, when playing with Jonathan  
Russell, to play a song that he has never played before. Preferably   
one he might never have heard. Then we tell him the key and start  
playing it. At the end of the in chorus, if he nods yes, we have him  
solo first. (He has always nodded yes so far)

Last time I played with him was a trio + him doing American Songbook.  
We deviated and decided to do Corcovado, (Quiet Nights) a relatively  
simple song. He had never heard it. He NAILED his improvisation after  
hearing only 1 chorus.

His ears are extraordinary, he has perfect pitch, he can usually name  
the chord when challenged by pianist or guitarist. So what works for  
him, will not work for many others. <grin>

Other songs he learned on the job without lead sheets or chord charts  
include; If I Had You, I Want A Little Girl, Fidgety Feet, That's Why  
They Call Me Shine, etc.

EARS, those who have good ones are very fortunate, both as listeners  
and as musicians.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband