Just watched this terrific master class by jazz legend Gary Burton, some of the most clear and deep discussion Ive heard on how to improvise jazz, what is happening and how to do it. Burton is a vibes player but this applies to every instrument, certainly including guitar. He has a really good analogy for improvising music: its like learning a language. There is a grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, and you need to understand how the parts fit together until you can forget about them and focus on what you are trying to say. You just think in the language. Burton starts with ten minutes very succinctly outlining the core music theory concepts that make up the grammar and vocabulary of jazz (which you dont need to follow, but its a good explanation) and then he launches into the most hands-on discussion of the art and craft of musicianship I have ever encountered -- he explains the practical process of developing fluency as an improviser. Highlights: Using leading tones in your melodies so instead of merely playing over the chord changes, actually show the chord changes so clearly in your solo that you dont actually need an accompaniment. Choosing a theme of a few notes, repeating it in each key as the chords change until you cant transpose fast enough and make something up instead. Return to the theme when it seems like youve said enough about it. Using another theme developed in a B section, then returning to it when you play those changes again. Most junior players develop a theme for only a few notes before moving on to another and another and another. Moving from fearfulness (careful to be right) to expressiveness Understanding the jobs of the conscious mind when it relies on the unconscious mind to feed the notes along. The conscious mind can also do anything else it wants to - except get in the way. Bringing the character and expression of a song into your solos instead of getting to the solo and dropping into generic jam. Developing a personal voice slowly, like assuming a regional accent when you move there (to you) Using communication with your audience to enrich the shape and expression of your playing. Comping - the job is not to outline the chords, its rhythmic. a good soloist doesnt need anyone to outline the chords. And way more.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 01:18:05 +0000
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