Jazz Improvisational/Funk question.

[sk8terguy316]

This is something I have been wondering my Gwizdala. I watch your bass playing and you often will just "jam" with your drummer (Bass Player Live) and you do Improv over a funky riff and some funky drum beats. I was wondering how you did this. I know jazz improv is based around chords and in jazz chords are usually following cyclic progressions and the chords are usually changing almost every bar. I was wondering how you improved over just one chord or key when usually Jazz is built off of chordal tones and substitutions, yet you seem to puul it off flawlessly with a small multitude of chordal changes and it still sounds good.

By the way I am not far in to jazz Improv so this may seem like a dumb question to you. I was just wondering what you form your jazzy solos off of if there are no immediate changes.

Thank you very much for all help,

J.D.

[janekbass]

J.D.

thanks for your post.

If you check out my latest podcast, I'm actually talking about playing over vamps where there are very few, or sometimes only one chord. Some concepts include: using motifs and building phrases from smaller fragments, of course TRANSCRIPTION! (very important to know the laguage you are using), using chord substitutions etc....

Melody is also a huge part of improvising. Hearing and playing melodies, and making them up on the spot to fit the situation you're improvising in. The stronger the melody, the more people you will take with you on the journey through your solo.

Easy,

Janek

[sk8terguy316]

Thank you very much I will have to check that podcast out.