Just How To Practice Jazz Piano Improvisation
It's all about discovering jazz piano Techniques language when it comes to becoming a fantastic jazz improviser. So unlike the 'half-step listed below technique' (which can be outside the scale), when approaching from above it appears far better when you maintain your notes within the scale that you remain in. That's why it's called the 'chord range above' technique - it stays in the scale.
So instead of playing two eight notes in a row, which would last one quarter note ('one' - 'and'), you can divide that quarter note right into three '8th note triplet' notes - where each note of the triplet is the same length. The first improvisation strategy is 'chord tone soloing', which implies to make up melodies making use of the 4 chord tones of the chord (1 3 5 7).
I usually play natural 9ths over many chords - including all 3 chords of the significant ii-V-I. This 'chordal structure' appears finest if you play your right hand loudly, and left hand (chord) a little bit quieter - to ensure that the audience listens to the melody note on the top.
Merely come before any kind of chord tone by playing the note a half-step listed below. To do this, walk up in half-steps (through the entire chromatic scale), and make note of all the notes that aren't in your current range. Cm7 voicing (7 9 3 5) with solitary melody note (C) played to interesting rhythm.
Now you can play this 5 note range (the incorrect notes) over the very same C minor 7 chord in your left hand. With this method you just play the same notes that you're already playing in the chord. Chord range over - half-step below - target note (e.g. E - C# - D).
NOTE: You additionally obtain a great series of steps to play, from 7 - 1 - 9 - 3 - if you want to play a short range in your solo. However, to stop your having fun from sounding foreseeable (and break out of 8th note pattern), you need to vary the rhythms from time to time.