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Improv
I was always warned by piano teachers to stick with the sheet music and don't veer off-course. I've been listening to improv jazz groups. Each time a song can be played differently, but it always sounds good. How does improv work? Who plays the melody and how does everyone in the group know? How does a member of the group (sax, drummer, bass, etc.) acquire the "spotlight" and do a solo? How does any one group member know if he should syncopate or trill or play the tune straight or whatever, since none of them play with sheet music? How do they keep the same rhythm?
Please explain to me how improv works. |
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 Originally Posted by Wondergirl
Oh, I had to feed the cat also when checking the food in the microwave. Without getting too bold here by me, please type in Clough Quad Cities in a search. You will understand, then... Yes, it is the type of question and subject that could go on for quite some time. I was hoping that maybe you might show up at the gig that was in Union. I do lots of improv with the group. But, it's mainly me that does the most improvisation. Bass player too, if so inclined. And, I don't know that I would call what our current drummer does as being improv. As you can see, just my commenting about my doing improv with the group can potentially spark other questions, because you are asking about a whole group improvising together. It's not always the case with some groups. Some of what we do play in the Johnnie Kaye Orchestra is jazz, though. I will be answering your question directly now in my next post. |
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Originally Posted by Wondergirl
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I asked my court-ordered community service worker last night to explain improv to me. He plays acoustic guitar, especially classical music. Jeff said improv is like a conversation. The best conversations are with old friends. I also asked my literature converation partner last night, and he said improv is like dancing. The best experience in dancing is with a partner you know well and have danced with before.
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Originally Posted by Wondergirl
It is best to stick with what is on the written page of music when first beginning to learn how to play. If the teacher teaches improvisation, then referencing the music (visual), is very important. To get into jazz improvisation you need to know chords and scales of various keys. You also need to know how a certain piece of music goes according to it's melody, rhythm and chord structure. Unfortunately, most teachers don't teach jazz improvisation or maybe any type of improvisation at all. You can improvise on any type of music. I teach improvisation for both jazz and other types of music. I could make you an instant blues player for free, Carol! Guaranteed results, or your money back! I have done this with all ages of people who have had no training on a keyboard or other type of band or orchestra instrument at all. Back to question, was rambling just a bit. I have what I call, "Cerebral Drift." It's just a part of me. Helps greatly with my creativity when I improvise, though! Improv between a number of players playing at the same time works, because the players know the melody and chord structure of the piece that they are playing. They play parts of chords and scales within the piece or tune if you will, in the case of jazz or other modern day popular styles of music, that have the same notes as the other players might have. Only, one individual does not play his or her notes in the same horizontal or vertical arrangement as the other people do at the same time. Neither is the rhythm the same as the other players notes. But, what is played sounds good because it is arranged in such a way that it is enjoyable because of mutually accepted ways that it is enjoyable. I hope that this is making sense, because it's really hard to answer. So much of what improvisers do is based upon what they feel and are inspired to do. There is also a lot of mathematical type thinking going on in terms of "if this, then therefore that." It's kind of like trying to define the word "love" or why you might "like" something. There is also the aspect of melody and accompaniment to be discussed concerning improvisation. But, discussion on that can be done in other posts. Jazz musicians know when someone is to have a solo because usually there is one of the members of the group who is calling the shots as to whom or what to do to the other members of the group by means of hand signals. These are not usually noticed by an audience. Also, when and where someone plays a solo may have already been pre-arranged in a rehearsal. That is my short answer to your original post. I hope that it is helpful to you! Your question as to how improv works is a really tough one to answer in just words. To actually demonstrate it to you with musical instruments would be much easier! :) |
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Originally Posted by Wondergirl
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Jeff, my library comm svc worker, had also mentioned that he has started to teach his young daughter how to improvise. He used "Jingle Bells" in the key of C, which she knows by heart, and then strummed the melody on his guitar while he advised her to stay on the white keys and try various things like trills and turns and other ornamentation. Jeff said his wife came in from another part of the house and was astounded at the music the two of them were making.
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Yes, if they know how to improvise and are in agreement as to the beat, rhythm and chords that will be used. Melody and chords kind of become interchangeable in definition when you are improvising. The improvisation doesn't have to even be based upon a known and established piece of music.
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