Musical Improvisation Basics - 8 Vital Things To Remember

This article discusses 8 vital things to remember as improvisers - whether advanced or just getting started:

1. Your technique is probably miles ahead of your ability to think.

This isn't just true for classical players. I've known lots and lots (and lots) of jazz players who have let their technique run the show as opposed to their brains. Happens all the time.

With players who are just beginning to improvise, this is vital to keep in mind. Slow down! Even at furious tempi, you can "long meter" melodic phrases that dance and skip over the fast tempo - thinking them in real time. And you can have great precision and musicality in doing so.

FYI, most players who play so fast you are asking yourself how can they think that stuff in real time - probably aren't really thinking that stuff in real time. Most are performing a memorized, yet impressive move. Sort of a human software, "sub- routine call." To me, not the real thing.

Personally, I'd rather listen to simple ideas that are inspired than impressive, over- thought, over-prepared ideas any day. Particularly when they are masquerading as "improvisation."

2. You will be playing unexpected notes (mistakes) in the best of situations.

Yes, I know, we're supposed to KNOW what we are doing. But to get good at anything, we have to stretch, and stretching means taking risks, and taking risks means making mistakes.

Over time, you really will be able to hear a melody and execute it flawlessly. But by then, you'll be stretching into new realms of harmony or rhythm and hearing more possibilities in melody - and making more mistakes. It really never stops, if you're doing it right.

3. Keep a music manuscript journal.

Write down any ideas that you have - chords, bits of melody, melodic shapes, anything. Use the notation system devised over hundreds of years. If you can't be precise, don't be. If all you can think of is a rhythm with undefined notes, write the rhythm with X's as the notes - defining them as non-specific. Non-specific is good.

4. Here's a big one - sing with your playing.

Start now. Start with your current repertoire. By doing so, we are unconsciously hooking up our brain with our voice with our instrument.

What we're reaching for is the ability to "sing" our lines as we create them, simultaneously playing the right notes on our instrument. That's a non-linear jump, but we can build the muscles for that now.

If you've ever heard a Keith Jarrett record, you've probably heard all the weird noises he makes with his phrases. Sounds like he's squeezing one out (and that's probably not far from the truth...). I think I can safely say that he is letting his phrases force the issue, physically and mentally. He doesn't sing perfect notes, but almost the intention of his lines - as I have said in the past, "riding the forward momentum of the moment's creation." You'll note that the intensity of his vocalizations seem phrase related, as opposed to note defined. He sure ain't singing melody.

So, if you can't sing your phrases, growl them. Get yourself to the next level by allowing the force of the music to drive the notes and phrases out of you. In time, they begin to align.

5. Here's a related one - Think in terms of phrases, as opposed to notes.

Be non-specific. Any way we can keep the big picture in mind is a very good thing. I have found that painting the big picture, tends to forgive the micro mistakes.

Another approach is to think in terms of texture as opposed to notes. This frees us from note definition and allows for us to discover the music that transcends note specific thinking.

6. Create some time every day for you to experiment and not sound good.

This process really does take a daily commitment to achieve. Spend a good 20 minutes playing stuff you are willing to sound outright "wrong." If you have to wear headphones with an electronic instrument in order keep the ego unmolested - so be it. But spend this time.

7. Mistakes often are the best means for discovering something that is unique to you.

This is a really big one. We are all shaped by a compilation of experiences, positive and negative, over the course of our life.

Why would music be any different?

When you make a mistake, you may find a new melodic idea, a new harmony, a new voicing. Write these down in your music manuscript journal (see above). They will become the basis for your own library of musical ideas that are unique to you.

A caveat. Your mistake generated idea may not be totally original. Your F minor 9 voicing may be the same one 40,000 other pianists may use. But it is your process that delivered the idea, and that process is entirely unique. It may make you write material that is particularly F minor 9 centric. Maybe that way, you'll write music that hasn't been thought of before coming from that point of view.

Music improvisation is a non-linear explosion of creative thought.

What makes us unique in life, works the same way in the music that we create. Even if you were an identical clone of someone, there is no one who has all of your experiences and made the mistakes you've made.

Use this.

8. Finally, build a safe space for this development so you aren't dissuaded from your path.

This process is a very personal one. Sharing your results may not impress anyone except yourself for now. That's fine. Keep it private as needed. The last thing you need to do is show your journal to someone who says, "Oh yeah, I've seen that before. So and so did it this way, and so and so did it that way." Deflation does not breed continuity.

It's almost as though you are building your "Chi." In martial arts, "Chi" is the life force that is released upon a move (maybe that's what Jarrett is up to...).

You are interested in building your musical "Chi," because that will permit things to happen that won't happen any other way. Deflating it by sharing with the wrong people is counter-productive and makes little sense.

I hope that this article has been helpful to you. If you like it, gift it to someone. I only ask that you credit me as below:

©2005 Ben Dowling, the author of "The Metaphysics of Improvisation" - is a pianist, composer and an authority on music improvisation who publishes Music- Improv.com, a web site that provides useful paradigms and practices for musicians interested in expanding their ability to improvise.

Learn more about the conceptual and metaphysical underpinnings of musical improvisation by visiting http://www.music-improv.com

---

One Way to Improve Your Music Journalist Relationship

Boy, I really detest how some people do websites. Bands... Read More

Structure Of A Successful Music Website

Ideally each page of your website should serve a specific... Read More

Irish Fiddle Ornaments

When I started playing jigs, my default bowing pattern made... Read More

An Interview with Angus Young of ACDC - Why He Plays a Gibson SG

Steven: Maybe more than any other guitarist ever, you're inextricably... Read More

Legend Vega Releasing New Pop CD

Legend Vega is scheduled to release her newest CD this... Read More

Born into musical family, Michael Jackson is as big as ever today

Michael Jackson was born Michael Joseph Jackson on August 29,... Read More

Patriotic Music: Surprising Secrets About Those Flag-Waving Sounds

Whether played by a marching band, an orchestra, or a... Read More

Say Something

The music of Rush influences and inspires, at least that's... Read More

Getting Rhythm - Three Tips for Guitar Beginners

If you are just starting out learning guitar one of... Read More

Does Your Band Need a Manager?

New bands looking to book gigs and establish contacts often... Read More

Origin of Erik Saties Gnossiennes

The 'trois Gnossiennes' (1890) is a set of dance-like pieces... Read More

Piano Lessons - Group or Private?

Piano lessons are a great activity for children. They encourage... Read More

Copyright Basics for Songwriters

Should you copyright your song? If you're a songwriter, sooner... Read More

How the Internet Helps Musicians

Everyone talks about the negative impact of the Internet on... Read More

Musicians: What Chords Do You Absolutely, Positively Have To Know?

As you probably know, there are thousands and thousands of... Read More

Bluegrass Music - Alive and Well in the Appalachians

One of the Appalachian Mountain region's greatest contributions to the... Read More

Be Your Own DJ - Digital Audio Processing Tools Overview

SoundEdit Pro is a digital audio editor for a user-friendly... Read More

The Time Machine Exist!

We call it music, ever noticed how vividly music triggers... Read More

How to Buy an Electric Guitar Online

With the increased proliferation of online guitar and musical equipment... Read More

Beauchamp Brings Diversity to Music

Everyone has a talent. For Miami, Okla.'s, Brian Beauchamp, it's... Read More

How to be Creative at the Piano

So you want to be more creative when playing piano.... Read More

Benatar and Geraldo - Still Rockin on a High Note

Most people look forward to the summer months because they... Read More

Music for Corporate Entertainment

For many years I have supplied music for and played... Read More

Setting Up In-House Retail Sales

Now, that you are familiar and likely connected with online... Read More

Music Business Contacts: Music Business Registry connects artists, managers, publishers, producers &

"The difference between success and failure is information," notes Ritch... Read More

Free, Legal Music Online

Almost everyone has heard about the massive crack down on... Read More

Inspiration Wanted - Apply Within!

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for music students is... Read More

New M3 with Competition Package

The new competition package available for the BMW M3 is... Read More

Trusting Your Inner Voice - Key to Success at the Piano

We all have so many critical voices in our heads.Telling... Read More

CD Review: Amber - My Kind of World

Pop/Rock Recording Artist Amber, who has scored seven #1 Billboard... Read More

Modal Theory for Guitar Players - Part 1

IntroductionThe fact that you are holding this in your hands... Read More

Music and Healing: The Power of Meaningful Words and Music

We All Have a Favorite Piece of Music that Moves... Read More

CD Mastering using Har-Bal

Feel free to download the entire manual detailing the mastering... Read More