Author: Oboe Craig
Date: 2010-12-06 20:05
Hi Robin,
In my case, I trained classically on oboe for a performance degree, but also minored on flute and piano with an emphasis on jazz. That after a childhood of sax in stage bands along the way. So, improvisation has been part of my musical life all along.
Its been a learn by doing thing, and some real serious jazz folks would quibble that I don't really do jazz much, rather I borrow from it and then recombine it back into a folk/jazz style. Its called syncretic tradition by some.
The Oxymora music I make with my friends always depends on some improvisation and that is wide-ranging with some fairly well-scripted forms, chords, etc., and also sometimes very free-form.
I actually drove my flute and piano teachers a little nuts with my approach to their instruments and then finally in grad school got to study with a real and really good jazz piano player/teacher.
There are lots of ways to proceed, starting with just play something... You can noodle around existing melodics and try things, too.
The Jamie Abersold jazz instruction provides live real jazzers playing to accompany the student, and many CDs of materials are available.
There are some modes and scales to learn, too, and fun to practice.
Not sure what to say about limited time... it will take some time to get proficient and comfortable doing it in public.
What I record to release probably takes anywhere from 1 - 10 takes until I like what is happening. So, not being a fully-trained jazz guy, I am content with that. Its always a fun process of discovery and I know I am done when a certain feeling accompanies the playing.
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