Improvisation

[jmight]

Any tips out there on both jazz and rock improv?

[Phineas]

Be Specific. That is a loaded question! From a theoretical stand point improvisation is just that. When you are talking about improvising in a given genre or style, now you are dealing with an approach to improvising.

I will tell you like I tell my students. Listen to a lot of recordings, get acquainted with what you like to hear, steal the licks you like, and experiment. Learning chord theory would be icing on the cake!

At least that is a start until you are more specific about that your goals are.

Phineas

[jmight]

I don't know that it's very goal oriented right now. Basically, I was hanging out in my dorm, and some people started playing guitar and bass, and asked if I'd like to bring my flute over and play around a bit. They were playing Red Hot Chili Peppers, and I started messing around with the roots of the chords, but that didn't seem to be all that exciting or flashy.

Mainly, right now it's just a way to mess around and have fun. I think it'd be enjoyable to learn a bit about how to improvise, and who knows, maybe we'll actually take it somewhere. It represents another performance opportunity other than Purdue Marching Band, and concert band, both fun, but I'd like to expand my outlets.

[Phineas]

I don't know that it's very goal oriented right now. Basically, I was hanging out in my dorm, and some people started playing guitar and bass, and asked if I'd like to bring my flute over and play around a bit. They were playing Red Hot Chili Peppers, and I started messing around with the roots of the chords, but that didn't seem to be all that exciting or flashy.

Mainly, right now it's just a way to mess around and have fun. I think it'd be enjoyable to learn a bit about how to improvise, and who knows, maybe we'll actually take it somewhere. It represents another performance opportunity other than Purdue Marching Band, and concert band, both fun, but I'd like to expand my outlets.

Ok, Since you already play, I will give you a couple of tools.

One tool is the pentatonic scale.

This is a major scale.

C - D - E - F - G - A - B

I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII


A pentatonic scale is this

C - D - E - G - A

I - II - III - V - VI


The pentatonic scale is a very popular medium for rock and jazz. It is very easy to use one scale in many different keys. A variation of this scale is the blues scale.

"A" Blues scale

A - C - D - Eb - E - G

I - bIII - IV - bV - V - VII

As you can see, the only difference between the C Pentatonic Scale and the A Blues scale is the note Eb.

If you use the scale degrees I have given you, these scales can be played in all keys. The more keys you learn these scales in, the more people you will be able to sit in with. Learn these scales, play around with the notes, and experiment. Play them at different intervals, etc...

You can play a C pentatonic (A blues) over the following chord progressions.

Dmi7 G7 Cmaj

II - V - I

Cmaj -------Continuous

I -----------

Ami7 -------Continuous

VImi7----------(Relative Minor)

A7 D7 E7 (A Blues)

I7 - IV7 - V7

A D E (A rock)

I - IV - V

Bmi7b5 E7 Ami7

VIImi7b5 - III7 - VImi7 (II - V - I minor style)

Ami7 Dmi7 Emi7

Imi7 - IVmi7 - Vmi7 (Minor Blues)

Cma7 Ami7 Dmi7 G7

Ima7 - VImi7 - IImi7 - V7 (I got rhythm changes)

Etc....

Hopefully this will get you started. If you need more help with the chords, I will do what I can. The scales are the easiest way to get started.

Have fun!

Phineas