how to correctly improvsie

[th30nlyAket]

can someone explain to me or point me to a article on how to improvise and basically thrw in a good sound solo on song

[anonymous02282011]

learning the changes would be a good start.

next, perhaps some transcribing of solos you like.

[FunkMetalBass]

How in-depth are you willing to go? True improvisation is an art that requires a lot of training and knowledge of music theory.

In essence, know what notes make up a chord, then learn which scales/modes can be played over the chords, then learn about tension/release/melody-writing, and then recall all of your training on-the-spot and write it while you play it.

[fearceol]

Here is a link that should help :

http://adamneely.com/lessons/bass-solo-concepts/

[JTE]

Well, it all starts with good ideas. Real improvisation ain't about theory at heart, the theory is only a path to getting to the notes. But it all starts with hearing something in your head and being able to execute it on the instrument.

So, my suggestion is to sit down and listen to the chord progression over which you're going to improvise. If there's a specific melody (for example, you're going to solo in the song "All Of Me"), you'll want that in your head too. Lock up your bass in its case so you won't even think of what you'd play yet. LISTEN to the section a lot, like at least two dozen times.

Then, while the progression is playing, SING what you think a great solo would sound like. Record what you sing. That's your solo.

NOW, and only now, pick up your bass, and learn to play EXACTLY what you sang. Don't try to "fix" it with "proper" notes, just figure out exactly what you sang. And it's way more than the notes too. Learn the subtle rythmic things you sang, the tone, the phrasing, the dynamics, all of it.

Then, after you've figured out what you sang, analyze it with your theory chops so you can start to understand what works for the bits you like, and what didn't work for the bits you don't like.

Another tool to use for this is to learn the solos of brilliant improvisers (which generally omits guitarists and bassist- I love Jimi Hendrix and Clapton is often a wonderfully emotional guitarist, but not really a brilliant improviser in the same league with others). Listen to how Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Mike Stern, Art Tatum, etc. improvised solos.

Now, don't just learn the solos, because music theory is vitally important to understanding this stuff. Analyze the solos, see what patterns they're using and how they relate (or don't) to the chords. Investigate how the solo relates to the song's melody. And don't limit it to improvised solos either. Listen to great vocalists because IMO, that's what instruments are trying to get to- the expression of the music in our souls, and most great singers get there a lot more directly than most instrumentalists. So listen to Ella Fitzgerald (again), Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Joni Mitchell, Aretha, etc.

John

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by th30nlyAket

can someone explain to me or point me to a article on how to improvise and basically thrw in a good sound solo on song

IMHO a "good sounding solo" Sounds a whole lot like the song's tune.

Yes improvisation starts with playing what you hear in your head. Which begs the question; can you play the melody to Mary Had A Little Lamb?

Not trying to yank your chain, but, hoping that running a scale or God forbid, a mode, in note order, and calling that an improvised solo should not be your goal.....

But, that is a starting point. Instead of starting at the very beginning see if you can -- get Mary Had A Little Lamb to where you can recognize the tune - then add your interpretation to that simple tune - that will qualify as an improvised solo.

Not at my computer right now - do a Google -- Hendrix, The National Anthem.
Edit - OK back home here is Hendrix's National Anthem. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...ideoid=7235110
Now - THAT qualifies as an improvised solo.

Good luck.

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

IMHO a "good sounding solo" Sounds a whole lot like the song's tune.

Yes improvisation starts with playing what you hear in your head. Which begs the question; can you play the melody to Mary Had A Little Lamb?

Not trying to yank your chain, but, hoping that running a scale or God forbid, a mode, in note order, and calling that an improvised solo should not be your goal.....

But, that is a starting point. Instead of starting at the very beginning see if you can -- get Mary Had A Little Lamb to where you can recognize the tune - then add your interpertation to that simple tune - that will qualify as an improvised solo.

Not on my computer right now - do a Google -- Hendrix, The National Anthum.

Good luck.

+100 IMO Melodies are a bounce-off point to outline and reinforce the tonality and allow you to 'think ahead', in my mind I try to start the story at the beginning and build from there, I don't feel you need to get too stuck in theory and technique, as important as they are it won't replace musicality and 'listening ahead', a good set of ears will get you out of trouble rather than a fast set of fingers, internalise stuff you hear and try and keep it for reference, improv is also based on experiences to catch a certain feel, true improv is the peak, there are so many different angles to consider, give of yourself

[BassChuck]

www.jazzbooks.com

[VonCakeman]

As stated before, Improvising starts with listening. The thing that I think is really important that no one mentioned before is confidence.

One thing that really helped me a lot was learning to play recorded solos that I really like. This helped me build a repertoire of l "licks" that I could pull out when I got lost, or even start out with if no ideas were coming at the time. Don't be afraid to string together phrases right out of some of the solos you learn. If you play a bar out of the middle of a Victor Wooten solo, and then a phrase out of a Megadeath guitar solo, then something out of a Miles Davis tune, chances are no one will notice what they are when you string them together.

Sometimes you are going to have off days. This is especially the case when you are starting out. If you have some phrases to fall back on, you'll be able to get through it a lot easier than if you are thinking note by note. The most important thing though is that whatever you play, play it like you mean it! don't get hung up on wrong notes, there are none when you are improvising. I'll also add one more thing. Don't forget the rests! They are more important than the notes.

[sammyp]

wow ....that's a loaded question....wow...

ok, the stars have to line up pretty nicely to successfully improvise in any given style depending on the player.

1. a player has to have been playing and listening and loving the style for quite some time.

2. the player has probably learned note for note or close many improved solos from other great players in the same style ....

3. the player has gleaned from his own playing and other solos he's learned the best phrases, his favorite. he knows where, how and when the fit and knows them in several keys.

4. the player knows the chord changes very well so the phrases, licks or patterns are on the tip of his tongue so to speak.

this formula will give you say ..Stevie Ray, Charlie Parker, Eddie Van Halen ....etc