Jazz Improvisation Tips

When it pertains to ending up being a terrific jazz improviser, it's all about learning jazz language. So unlike the 'half-step below strategy' (which can be outside the range), when coming close to from above it seems much better when you keep your notes within the range that you're in. That's why it's called the 'chord scale above' technique - it stays in the scale.

So rather than playing two eight notes straight, which would certainly last one quarter note ('one' - 'and'), you can split that quarter note into 3 '8th note triplet' notes - where each note of the triplet coincides length. The initial improvisation strategy is 'chord tone soloing', which indicates to compose tunes using the four chord tones of the chord (1 3 5 7).

I typically play all-natural 9ths above most chords - including all 3 chords of the major ii-V-I. This 'chordal texture' seems finest if you play your right-hand man noisally, and left hand (chord) a little bit quieter - so that the listener listens to the melody note on the top.

Simply precede any kind of chord tone by playing the note a half-step below. To do this, Bookmarks walk up in half-steps (with the whole colorful range), and make note of all the notes that aren't in your current range. Cm7 expression (7 9 3 5) with single melody note (C) played to intriguing rhythm.

Currently you might play this 5 note range (the incorrect notes) over the same C minor 7 chord in your left hand. With this technique you just play the same notes that you're already playing in the chord. Chord scale above - half-step listed below - target note (e.g. E - C# - D).

NOTE: You also get a nice series of steps to play, from 7 - 1 - 9 - 3 - if you wish to play a short scale in your solo. However, to quit your having fun from seeming foreseeable (and burst out of eighth note pattern), you need to vary the rhythms from time to time.