 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rick2
Date: 1999-02-01 05:03
Anybody here do much in the way of improvisation? Anyone have any suggestions on what works? I have the first Jamey Aebersold book but was hoping somebody might give some instrument specific ideas.
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Author: Frank
Date: 1999-02-01 11:19
My impression is that most beginning improvisers start with vols 1, 21, 2, 24, 3 of Abersold I believe that Vol 1 could be passed over. If you had these four vols, you would be kept busy for some time. The trick, of course, is to learn the most often used scales/chord in jazz: maj, dom7, dorian, blues, half-dim, dimnished, and pentatonics. This is not the whole show, but it will make for a strong start.
If you are a recent starter, you could also get John O'Neill's "The Jazz Method for Clarinet" published by Schott.
There are loads of theory books. Except for the first one listed here, they all come with CDs. I think it is usually a waste of time to get books/tutors that do not offer CDs. My favorites are "Jazz Improvisation" by David Baker, "Melodic Structures" by Jerry Bergonzi, and "How to Improvise" by Hal Crook. The last book is very well-organized and follows what appears to be his class methodology. I have bought many texts over time and I think this is the best all-arounder.
The Abersold Internet site will give you a listing of other books and a place to request the Abersold catalogue. This is an excellent resource for jazz material.
Check with others about their favorite fake books. These are your musical anthologies.
The thing that makes efforts easy as time goes on is to learn your scales. Take it from one who put learning for years - it pays off in countless ways. A good resource here is "Scales for Jazz Improvisation" by Dan Haerle. There are other scale books, but this is simple and straight forward.
Of, yes. Never forget to check your tone. Having all the moves and playing slush is not on
Best of luck.
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Author: Kevin Bowman
Date: 1999-02-01 19:10
There are many things you can do to learn improvisation. Frank had some good suggestions. In addition, there are now several "method" books in the style of the ubiquitous "Patterns for Jazz" (I foget the author). Much of improvisation is made up of short 1, 2, & 4 measure patterns that you use to build upon. These, of course, are based on scales and arpeggios. So, definitely, the FIRST order of business is scales, scales, scales. Learn all the major and minor scales. Play them in different modes (beginning on different scale tones). Play them in patterns (rhythm and articulation). And, above all, play them from memory - don't rely on just reading them.
Second - listen, listen, listen. Listen to lots of jazz - all kinds. listen to clarinet, sax, trumpet, flute, piano, whatever. You can learn a lot from non-clarinet soloists as well as from the clarinet greats. Listen, then copy. Take the time to transcribe some of your favorite improvised solos. By transcribing yourself (instead of just getting the book of solos that someone else transcribed) you really get a good idea of what the soloist is doing and why. And the shear act of transcribing, listening to a part over and over, will beat the solo into your head - you will be able to "hear" it as well as play it.
The Aebersold music is great because you get to practice improvising in a realistic situation. You get to hear the changes as you're playing above them. But there are some things you just can't learn from a CD. Find some friends that are will to jam and just play. Learn to "read" each other, how to get into and out of a solo, interact with the other musicians. You can try "trading fours" with another musician - even trade twos and ones. Play question and answer - repeat something one of the other players just played. Don't worry about the talent level of the other players (or even yourself) - you're just jamming - have fun.
Kevin Bowman
Clarinet & Saxophone Instructor,
Rochester Conservatory of Music, Rochester, MI
and
Saxophones, Clarinet, & Keys,
B-Side Blues Project
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-02-09 00:30
Lydian chromatic scale of tonal organization is the answer to your question.It was devised by George Russel in 1953 and Miles Davis or other jazz giants took it.
See http://www.georgerussell.com/
You may be able to buy 1953 edition or obtain the new book soon!
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