Author: allencole
Date: 2003-05-08 05:14
Mark really nails it on the head. You need to listen both for styling, and so that you get to know the repertoire. In any situation where players are not reading from music, they are generally hired or invited because someone is confident that they know the songs. This applies as well to rock, country, bluegrass, folk, etc.
Technical preqrequistites are minimal. If you can play your major scale, a scale-in-thirds, and your I-IV-V arpeggios in every key, you already have a lot of tools at your disposal. Particularly considering that much old-style improvisation was arpeggio-based.
One note on Jamey Aebersold -- some of the play-alongs are very good, but his learning methodology is more appropriate for newer styles of jazz than older styles. Alfred publishes a dixieland play-along that might be more helpful stylistically.
The Pentatonic Scale (1-2-3-5-6-8 of the major scale, aka the guitar lick from "My Girl") is a good tool to use if you're an inexperienced improvisor. It confines you to the five pitches most likely to sound good.
But remember that what I'm describing are simply part of the trick bag. Listening to and absorbing the tunes & solos is the real key. You need to play your CDs to death, and check out some live groups as well.
Also note Mark's mention of melodic shaping.
Allen Cole
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