improvisation?

warwick87 · Tadpole Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 23

how does one improvise? i understand it vaguly but i have problems doing it myself? how do you use modes to do this?

Neil Gray · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2003 10:35 pm Post subject: Improvisation...

I don't know how to answer this question!!! I have always been able to do it, and I guess when I look back at how I learned, it goes back to playing along with CD's (tapes or records will do). Trying to work out songs by ear goes a long way; you tend to learn new sounds, runs, and techniques. Aside from all that, it gives you new ideas.
At the risk of sounding cliche, Just Do It!
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SteveJazz · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 11:31 am Post subject:

There are 2 main ways to improvise, and they work together, as I envision it. First, you must know the entire chord progression, relevant scales, and melody of the song in question. This information shows you all the available notes that will fit into the section where you are improvising.

Next, you must develope your ear to allow you to seamlessly use all those available notes in an order that pleases you, and hopefully, your listeners. Most improvising starts with the melody of a tune, and expands on that melody. Listen to some mainstream jazz. Sometimes, for example, soloists will "quote" a piece of melody from another tune during a solo. Sometimes this is done in a tongue-in-cheek manner, as when a soloist suddenly plays "Pop Goes the Weasel," or "Dixie" during a solo.

One way to try this is to learn the entire melody and chord progression of a standard, like "Satin Doll." Then play that melody over the chords. Then continue, using the basic melody, but enhancing it with your own expressions.

Garry (Ninestring) is good at explaining this process, perhaps he'll weigh in for you.

Then you have guys like Neil, who just hear it, and play it. That usually comes from a lot of ear training.

SJ Cool

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BassMan02 · Tiger Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 848

That is a skill that comes with time and practice. Listen to the Grateful Dead. They are the kings of improvision. They go on stage with no setlist at all. They just play without stopping and whatever happens....happens.
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gibson_thunder · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 6:22 pm Post subject:

the Dead are farkin awesome... youll be listening to one song, they`ll drift into a 30 minute jam & without you even noticing, the song morphs out of the jam into a completely different song. that takes some heavy fuggin skill, boys & girls... Twisted Evil

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Neil Gray · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 8:37 pm Post subject:

I've not heard a great deal from the Dead, but the Floyd seem to do this as well (what Gibson is describing). It's something I can't seem to get my band to do, or even try! I love improvising, but so many musicians are frightened to do it.
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BassMan02 · Tiger Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 848

Floyd doesn't do it like the Dead. The Dead are completely spontanious where as Pink Floyd are more rehearsed. They way to improve this with your band is to just start jamming on a chord and then go from there. The more you just jam the better and tighter your band will be.
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Sometimes we ride on your horses
Sometimes we walk alone
Sometimes the songs that we hear
are just songs of our own

-"Eyes of the World" Grateful Dead

Shockland · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 1:31 pm Post subject: o_o

yeah I can't think of any bands I listen to that improv much maybe korn sometimes 8P
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BassMan02 · Tiger Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 848

Korn? Improv?
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Sometimes we ride on your horses
Sometimes we walk alone
Sometimes the songs that we hear
are just songs of our own

-"Eyes of the World" Grateful Dead

Shockland · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 5:25 pm Post subject: ol

yeah kinda sometimes 8P you know in there songs sometimes it just stops and it seems they just decided to keep goin Laughing

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Guest · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:33 pm Post subject:

thats an ok example but the grateful dead is pretty much the poster children for improv.

Shockland · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:52 pm Post subject:

I see you reasoning and succumb to your opinion
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Neil Gray · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:17 pm Post subject:

Shockland · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 1:11 pm Post subject:

Neil Gray · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:16 pm Post subject:

Yeah... I kinda get on here in between seeing people. It helps to offload. I'm the Assistant Manager of a Salvation Army hostel, and I do drug and alcohol counselling. On quiet days, I can spend up to three or four hours 'unwinding' and 'offloading' here Wink

.
Others go for walks, one lady sneaks off and does yoga for half an hour every so often... I logon here.
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