[Harp-L] Jazz Imnprovisising on the chromatic

[Alexander Savelyev]

Just to add, i have just completed a Coursera online course from Betklee
college of music called "Jazz Improvisation". It was free on offer some
time ago, but i finished it (watching/listening) only now. A great way to
get a general idea on where to start and how to proceed. You should
definitely check it - will save you years in search of the truth.

Alex

On Tue, 23 Jan 2018 at 00:53 Jordan Feldman via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx>
wrote:

> The Jamey Aebersold stuff is great.  I have most of the volumes, but with
> today's technology, apps such as iReal Pro are even better, cheaper and
> allow you to change key, tempo, backing instruments, number of cycles,
> everything.  One caveat, is that chord notation is presented as opposed to
> lead sheets, so you'll have to either know the head or have a fake book for
> the head, assuming you read.  But, for learning how to play through a
> progression there is nothing easier and as flexible.
> For about $12 you can have the app and thousands of tunes loaded in it in
> 10 minutes.
>
> > On Jan 22, 2018, at 2:58 PM, philharpn--- via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx>
> wrote:
> >
> > I'm shocked that no one has mentioned Jamey Aebersold books/CD/DVDs.
> >
> > His books and videos are available everywhere but also at his own web
> site.
> >
> > For openers, there is his DVD "Jazz: Anyone Can Improvise! - DVD" . at
> $19.95. <jazzbooks.com>
> >
> > Check out:
> >
> > VOLUME 1 - HOW TO PLAY JAZZ & IMPROVISE now with 2 CDs! ($19.95)
> >
> > VOLUME 2 - NOTHIN' BUT BLUES ($15.90)
> > but you can get your own copy at jazzbook dot com.
> >
> > ALSO NOTE: Free  downloads are listed at the bottom of the page:
> >
> > jazz handbook
> > scale and chord reference
> > nomenclature
> > scale syllabus
> > dominant 7th tree of scale choices
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Slim Heilpern <slim at xxxxx>
> > To: JERL WELCH <dfwhoot at xxxxx>; harp-l harp-l <harp-l at xxxxx>
> > Sent: Mon, Jan 22, 2018 10:13 am
> > Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Jazz Imnprovisising on the chromatic
> >
> > Hi Jerl -
> >
> > I?m afraid there?s no simple answer to your question, but here?s my 2 or
> 3 cents:
> >
> > What you?re asking, for the most part, has little to do with what kind
> of axe you?re playing (harmonica or otherwise) beyond being able to play
> that instrument chromatically. If you already know how to improvise over a
> blues or country chord progression, then you can think of improvising over
> jazz as a considerably more complex version of the same thing. I say more
> complex partially because of the chord structure on many jazz tunes and
> also because the music has evolved relatively quickly from its beginnings
> over the last century and encompasses a very wide range of influences,
> styles, and approaches.
> >
> > Jazz improvisation comes more quickly to some than others (I?m in the
> ?others? category, been working at it for many years and I still feel like
> a beginner). For most of us it requires a lot of diligence and patience to
> make any real progress (I myself am good on patience, less so on diligence).
> >
> > There are many approaches, but I would say the first thing is to make
> sure you?re well versed in whatever music you?re trying to play. Just like
> any style of music you're trying to learn, you need to be a good listener
> and appreciator of that style if you?re going to be convincing when you
> play it. Dixieland jazz is the foundation that other styles of jazz sit on,
> so it?s not a bad place to start. Listen to Louis Armstrong and pay
> attention to the _way_ he plays the melody (phrasing) as well as the
> content of his solos and the way he plays them. That?s probably as good a
> place to start as any.
> >
> > Most people can improvise more easily singing, humming, or whistling
> than we can on our instruments, so it can be helpful to try to improvise
> this way and then try to emulate what you did on your instrument.
> >
> > In parallel with that, I would suggest a course in music theory (if you
> need to, start with basic music theory before moving on to jazz theory). To
> play reasonably well, you?re going to have to learn that either by osmosis
> or by studying it and a bit of study can accelerate the learning process.
> >
> > And then there?s learning the various scales and arpeggios in all keys,
> also really important. Sounds like drudgery, but it can be fun and I?m
> convinced it improves brain function ;-).
> >
> > I hope this helps even just a little bit!
> >
> > - Slim
> >
> > http://slimandpenny <http://slimandpenny/>.com
> >
> >> On Jan 21, 2018, at 12:34 PM, JERL WELCH <dfwhoot at xxxxx> wrote:
> >>
> >> Learning to perform melodies on jazz tunes is not that difficult , with
> a little practice and talent , but to improvise beyond is another process
> that I'm having problems with properly. Any suggestions out there from some
> of you jazz chromatic players. I know that to play a jazz tune , one starts
> with the head, then improvise , then head and out.I would like to know for
> myself , plus to share with our monthly harmonica meetings, HOOT.
> >> Thanks, Jerl Welch
> >>
> >> |  | Virus-free. www.avg.com  |
> >>
> >
> >
>
> --
Best regards,

Alexander Savelyev
Tel.: +43 664 884 74941
E-mail: alexander.savelyev at xxxxx