Is practicing improvising worth it?

[Earthday]

I've always figured the best way to know how to play would be to be able to translate the music in my head to my bass. Is it worth it to improvise while practicing, or would this ability come faster if I used the time to learn to apply more theory etc.? If so, what are some more productive ways I can practice improvising? (Usually I'll just play some songs I like, figure out the key and progression and just play)

[giantrobot_69]

Check out Ed Fuquas post for improvising on changes:

REALLY Learning a tune

I would say to practice just "free" improvising as well. Improvising is improvising, whether over changes or not, the concepts are the same: To create in the moment and listen.

I think you have to practice that and every "free" player I have known, Vinny Golia or Leo Smith, does in fact practice it quite a bit. There are stories from Pat Metheny talking about Ornette Coleman practicing 8-10 hours a day when they were on tour together in the 80's.

My 2 cents...

[doctorjazz]

Yeah, it's definitely worth it.

A good suggestion to help you out: If you're having trouble getting the ideas in your head to translate to your hands as you're playing, stop and compose a solo like you would want to be able to improvise, then play it until you can do it from memory. Do a few more, and then you have your own ideas translated into muscle memory in your hands, and you'll have a better idea of what a musical idea in your head will translate to on your instrument.

[BASSZENO]

I once read something by Wynton Marsalis where he said something like "to improvise means to improve. To improve a thing , you must first know what it is."

I've always taken that to mean hit the books and then work on some things based on what you just learned.

[CraigG]

Yes, practice improvising; it will help you discover yourself as a player and your instrument will eventually become an extension of who you are. But also practice something structured - whether it's through books, lessons or simply learning the bass lines off recordings.

One without the other will always leave you less of a player than you ultimately could be.

[BullHorn]

It's the most fun thing you can do.

What else can you learn, actually? Learn songs one by one and be a walking juke-box?

More fun to gig along with other musicians at random open-mic-nights and stuff like that.

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by Earthday

I've always figured the best way to know how to play would be to be able to translate the music in my head to my bass. Is it worth it to improvise while practicing, or would this ability come faster if I used the time to learn to apply more theory etc.? If so, what are some more productive ways I can practice improvising? (Usually I'll just play some songs I like, figure out the key and progression and just play)

To really study improv require knowledge of harmony and theory, understanding of rhythm. Lots and lot of practice working on playing over key center, play chord-scales, using guide tones and target note. Then moving forward chord subsitution and reharmonizatoin which lead to back to chord-scale selection changes. Studying common chord progressions and soloing over them. Developing ability to look at song even while playing and recognize common chord movements and spot key-centers. All the while developing your ear to hear these things while playing. Then countless hours of practice so you spontaneous on stage.

But the result of studying improv is it applies to creating basslines, songwriting, arranging, and developing your ear and overall creativity. So I'd say studying improv can help a litttle to be a better musician, even if you don't get solo very often.

[Red Wonder]

Originally Posted by doctorjazz

Yeah, it's definitely worth it.

A good suggestion to help you out: If you're having trouble getting the ideas in your head to translate to your hands as you're playing, stop and compose a solo like you would want to be able to improvise, then play it until you can do it from memory. Do a few more, and then you have your own ideas translated into muscle memory in your hands, and you'll have a better idea of what a musical idea in your head will translate to on your instrument.

Beautiful

[All_¥our_Bass]

Yes, it is worth it. Actually when I started learning bass, improvising was something I just HAD to get into, as one of my big heroes was Syd Barret.