Ad-Lib/Bass Fills/Bass Soloing/Improv HELP...

[MistaMarko]

I know music theory and rhythms very very well but one thing I'm always unconfident about with my playing is ad-libing in jazz, or taking a solo in a jazz piece...throwing my own 'ornamentations' in the music...

Few things I've never really understood is...is it O.K. to go out of key when doing all this? Or is it IMPERATIVE that you stay in the key?

Some jazz chord progressions have different key changes and modulate within the progression and sometimes you don't really know when it changes...it just seems like when I ad-lib or solo in jazz I hear myself clash with some other instrument or I hear myself playing wrong notes. What is the secret to all this?

[Swift713]

I think you're "supposed to" analyze the progression and stay with the key changes. Of course this is an interpretive process and if you're "soloing" the band should lay back enough to give you room to stretch the harmonies. I think.

[the_fooj]

Usually staying with the key will keep it sounding alright. Of course you can throw in some passing tones and accidentals and what nots, but you usually don't want to hold them out for too long (unless you're going for that disonnant sound). For me it just took time to figure out when using "out of key notes" sounded good and when to avoid them. It just comes with practice, and eventually you'll develope your own style for that kinda stuff.

[ninefingerbass]

Without going out of the box you must first know what key you are in and how the music moves. If it changes nonstop and playing the rootnote is important than I would stick to playing your walking lines but within the chord changes. If you are playing more of a jazz jam than sticking within your tonal center would be the best. If you can play walking basslines than just add more rythm and feel to them for your solo. You mention going out of the original key. Well playing diminished scales and chords will help you cut through and sound like you are out of key but keeping wihtin. My own solo approach is to take a regular solo within and let it go. Don't think about it. You say you know your theory and rythm, well why don't you use it. That's why we call it improvising.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

I know music theory and rhythms very very well but one thing I'm always unconfident about with my playing is ad-libing in jazz, or taking a solo in a jazz piece...throwing my own 'ornamentations' in the music...

Few things I've never really understood is...is it O.K. to go out of key when doing all this? Or is it IMPERATIVE that you stay in the key?

Some jazz chord progressions have different key changes and modulate within the progression and sometimes you don't really know when it changes...it just seems like when I ad-lib or solo in jazz I hear myself clash with some other instrument or I hear myself playing wrong notes. What is the secret to all this?

My advice would be to keep it simple. You soloing skills will improve as you become comfortable and familiar with the melody and the chord changes. This is something that I still struggle with, but it's getting better. I know it's not going to happen overnight. Keep it simple and don't try to do too much.

Joe