Jazz Improvisation – Getting Started
Where do I start?
1. Try to think of what you are going to play, just before you play it
2. Play 2/3 notes (or as many as you can handle) from the chosen scale…
3. …using an appropriate rhythm, whilst maintaining the style/feel of the ‘head’
4. ‘Borrow’ an idea from the head (play the rhythm of a particular phrase/play the same notes in the same order, but change the rhythm/play the first half of a phrase but change the ending etc.)
5. LEAVE SPACE (know when to stop…..try to turn your ideas into ‘catchy’ melodies, with a well rounded ending)
DEVELOP ~ change your idea/phrase in as many interesting ways as you feel appropriate, before beginning the next one.
How? Do 1/more of the following:
1. Play it up/down an octave/2 octaves
2. Change 1/more notes (keeping the same rhythm)
3. Change the rhythm, either keeping the same notes in the same order or by changing some
4. Add a tone/semi-tone grace note to 1/more of the notes (keeping it musical!)
KEEP IT INTERESTING/ADVENTUROUS (NOT SAFE!) AND ALWAYS TRY TO SOUND ORIGINAL
TRY TO USE THE WHOLE PIANO (EVENTUALLY)
EXPERIMENT WITH BIG AND SMALL INTERVALS
Modes - the order of tones and semi-tones
Ionian/Major (C to C, white notes): T, T, ST, T, T, T, ST
Dorian (D to D, white notes): T, ST, T, T, T, ST, T
Phrygian (E to E, white notes): ST, T, T, T, ST, T, T
Lydian (F to F, white notes): T, T, T, ST, T, T, ST
Mixolydian (G to G, white notes): T, T, ST, T, T, ST, T
Aeolian (A to A, white notes): T, ST, T, T, ST, T, T
Locrian (B to B, white notes): ST, T, T, ST, T, T, T
How do I work out the most common modes quickly?
Dorian (D): the major key signature, of the tone below. i.e. to find the dorian on G, start on G, but play the major scale of a tone below (F major – 1 flat): G, A Bb, C, D, E, F
Lydian (F): the major scale with a sharpened 4th. i.e. G major (1 sharp: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#) but sharpen the 4th: G, A, B, C#, D, E, F#
Mixolydian (G): the major scale with a flattened 7th. i.e. C major (no sharps/flats) but flatten the 7th: C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb
Pentatonics & Blues Scales
Major pentatonic: T, T, M3rd, T (in C: C, D, E, G, A)
Minor pentatonic: M3rd, T, T, M3rd (in C: C, Eb, F, G, Bb)
Flat 3rd pentatonic: T, ST, Maj3rd, T (in C: C, D, Eb, G, A)
Blues scale: M3rd, T, ST, ST, M3rd, T (in C: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb)
Which scales to which chords?
Any scale which contains the same notes as the chord:
· Minor 7th: Dorian, Aeolian, Minor pentatonic, Flat 3rd Pentatonic, Blues scale
· 7th: Mixolydian, Major pentatonic, Blues scale
· Major 7th: Ionian/Major, Lydian, Major Pentatonic
…There are other scales, which also fit the above chords, but these are good starting points.
Try experimenting with major/minor 3rds and the tri-tone/augmented or sharp 4th.
If in doubt, play the notes of the chord!
Key:
ST – Semi-tone
T – Tone
M3rd – Minor 3rd
Maj3rd – Major 3rd
Tri-tone – Augmented/Sharpened 4th