Hi everybody, I''m new here. I''ve been
playing for about 6 years, and I''m getting ready to start performing publicly
so to speak. I talked to my youth pastor at church and the church is looking for
a flute player. Only problem is: I need to improvise my music from the
Church''s guitar lead sheets, and I haven''t the foggiest how to do it. My
Dad was a music major in college, so he''s going to help me a little bit, but
does anybody have any tips on how to do this? Thanks a lot! I''m already glad
I found this place.
Improvising from lead sheets
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
Improvising from lead sheets
Hi Zac, Welcome aboard. Improvisation is a
lot of fun once you get through the basics. If you are improvising of the lead
sheet, you are basically playing the scales that "belong" to each cord. So for
example, if you have a Cmaj cord, you would improvise over C, D, E, F, G, A, B,
C. Then, if you have a dominant G7 cord, you would still play the same notes,
while giving a hint of the cord (G, B, D, F) more clearly. However, if you then
have somewhere a D7 cord, this would imply a different scale (D, E, F#, G, A, B,
C, D). And so on... You are essentially using these notes as guides, but your
main source should be your ears. An excellent book on jazz theory (which is
essentially popular music theory) is "The Jazz Theory Book" by Mark Levine
(published by Sher Music). It explains all the theory with specific examples and
it has been very helpful to me when I was starting with improvisation. I hope
all this helps a bit and good luck! Just open your ears and you'll be fine.
lot of fun once you get through the basics. If you are improvising of the lead
sheet, you are basically playing the scales that "belong" to each cord. So for
example, if you have a Cmaj cord, you would improvise over C, D, E, F, G, A, B,
C. Then, if you have a dominant G7 cord, you would still play the same notes,
while giving a hint of the cord (G, B, D, F) more clearly. However, if you then
have somewhere a D7 cord, this would imply a different scale (D, E, F#, G, A, B,
C, D). And so on... You are essentially using these notes as guides, but your
main source should be your ears. An excellent book on jazz theory (which is
essentially popular music theory) is "The Jazz Theory Book" by Mark Levine
(published by Sher Music). It explains all the theory with specific examples and
it has been very helpful to me when I was starting with improvisation. I hope
all this helps a bit and good luck! Just open your ears and you'll be fine.
Damjan, --- Fluteland.com Teacher
Improvising from lead sheets
Thank you so much for that question! I
have acually been pondering jazz improvisation for a while and I wouldn't have
asked about it because it would've been for my enjoyment alone, not with a band
or anything. If you are looking for a place to get the book, I looked at
Borders.com and they have it online and are able to get it at their stores as
well. Thank you again for that question, and thank you, damjan for the book
recommandation and for the chord/scale information. It is truly interesting!
Thanks again, Abby
have acually been pondering jazz improvisation for a while and I wouldn't have
asked about it because it would've been for my enjoyment alone, not with a band
or anything. If you are looking for a place to get the book, I looked at
Borders.com and they have it online and are able to get it at their stores as
well. Thank you again for that question, and thank you, damjan for the book
recommandation and for the chord/scale information. It is truly interesting!
Thanks again, Abby
Rock
on!
on!
Improvising from lead sheets
Another source you may want to check out
for improvisational ideas is www.jazzflute.com. There are several exercises on
that site as well as other ideas related to improvisation. Another possibility
for practicing improvisation is working on some ideas at the piano and,
initially, writing down your improvisation (assuming you have some piano
skills). I agree that the ear is best, but sometimes it's challenging to
connect your ear and your fingers. That is the ultimate goal, I believe, but
starting with something written (of your own creation) may kick-start your
creativity.
for improvisational ideas is www.jazzflute.com. There are several exercises on
that site as well as other ideas related to improvisation. Another possibility
for practicing improvisation is working on some ideas at the piano and,
initially, writing down your improvisation (assuming you have some piano
skills). I agree that the ear is best, but sometimes it's challenging to
connect your ear and your fingers. That is the ultimate goal, I believe, but
starting with something written (of your own creation) may kick-start your
creativity.
DrMalone