Improvisation Techniques That Work in All Musical Styles
General Concepts Applied to Improvisation
In this article I will be presenting some of the basic principles to get someone familiar with the concept of improvisation and composition. These are simple ideas that when applied will bring your improvisations to a whole new level. Eventually I will incorporate some video examples so keep checking in.
Improvisation Overview
There are three general areas in which improvisation is used in music, composition, soloing and accompaniment.
Composition
There is improvisation used in composing. A composer may improvise on some ideas until they find something they like. It is then when they apply all of their musical knowledge to refine these improvisations into a written piece of work. Many of the great composers were known to be excellent improvisers.
This makes a great case for a musician to really know the theory of how things go together. Imagine coming up with some great ideas for a piece, but then what? It can be frustrating not knowing where to go next.
Soloing in a Song
There is improvisation used for soloing on a song. Think of it as instant composition where the performer is called upon to create an improvised melody right on the spot. One definition for this kind of improvisation is that it is “the act of spontaneously rearranging or re-combining pre-learned ideas.”
When you hear or see great musicians effortlessly solo, doesn’t it seem so natural to them? Although it’s as if they are coming up with all these great melodies for the first time off the top of their heads, you can be sure there is a huge bag of tricks that they’ve practiced and are able to draw from.
Music theory is very useful here as well. The good news is that learning how to improvise will actually teach you music theory in a fun way.
Accompaniment
Improvisation also occurs in accompaniment where the rhythm and chord voicings may be varied and embellished. This very typical in jazz, rock & blues where there may be a basic structure but the guitar, keyboard, drums and bass are expected to make up an accompaniment in a specific style. Also, it is not unusual for horn players to improvise a background for another soloist, especially in a jazz or blues setting.
Whether they are for soloing or composition, the ideas presented in this book are typical of the techniques improvisers of all genres always use. There is enough information here to keep a musician busy for a long time, so don’t try to take it all in in one day. Instead, take little pieces at a time and try to incorporate them into your playing and practice. Familiarize yourself with these concepts and soon you will recognize them in other players as well as having them become part of your own vocabulary.
Phrasing Video
- 2 Measure Lead Guitar Phrasing Lesson - YouTube
For the players who have learned some scales and licks but haven't figured out how to put it all together
Soloing With 3 Notes
- 3 note blues solos-lick trainer - YouTube
Playing licks using combinations of only 3 notes from the C minor pentatonic scale. Backing track at the end.
One, Two & Four Measure Phrasing
A good way for a beginning improviser to keep their solos from wandering is to play their phrases in predetermined lengths. One, two and four measure phrases tend to be the most common. A lot of it depends on the tempo. Of course any length phrase is possible, but it is usually best to start out with even phrases until you get the hang of it.
Rhythmic Phrasing
A starting point for any improviser is to have a concept of various rhythms and be able to apply them directly to their choice of notes. “Borrowing” rhythms from other songs, as well as other instruments and vocals is an excellent way to generate ideas for your solos.
One Note Improvisation
- How to Improvise One Note at a Time
guitarists learn how to solo or improvise using a single note
Development
Repeating a phrase melodically or rhythmically, and introducing some variation each time adds interest and creates a sense of motion. A phrase could morph into something totally new. Little fragments of a previous phrase could also be used as starting points for new ideas.
Repetition
Repeating the same phrase is common among all soloists. Melodic repetition would be using the same notes. Rhythmic repetition would be using the same rhythm, but on different notes.
Variations on a Theme
Taking the basic melody of a tune you are going to improvise over and embellishing it with different notes and rhythms is a standard way getting started on improvising. As you get used to rephrasing the tune, move further and further away from the main melody and come up with your own original ideas.
Dynamics & Articulation
Be sure to be aware of elements such as:
Volume Levels
Crescendos
Decrescendos
Legato
Sustained
Slurs
Staccato
Intervals
An excellent coordination as well as melodic exercise is to play your scales in interval patterns. You'll often hear references such as "play the scale in 3rds," which means to alternate between each note in the scale and a diatonic (in key) note that is three notes away. For example, 3rds would be; C followed by E, D followed by F, etc.
- Harmonic Interval: Play the notes together as a chord. Sometimes called Diads.
- Melodic Interval: Play the notes separately as a melody.
Intervals on the Guitar
- How The Intervals Work on a Guitar
All about intervals on guitar
Sequence
A sequence is when you take a scale or a melodic pattern and repeat the same order, but on a higher or lower note of the scale. For example, if you took the scale pattern CDE from the key of C, the next pattern in the sequence would be DEF then EFG followed by FGA etc.
The 24 Patterns Sequences
This is a fantastic way to generate melodic and sequential ideas. The premise is that 4 notes can be played in 24 different orders. Using the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 you get:
1234, 1243, 1324, 1342, 1423, 1432
2134, 2143, 2314, 2341, 2413, 2431
3124, 3142, 3214, 3241, 3412, 3421
4321, 4312, 4231, 4312, 4123, 4132
Just apply these numbers to any set of pitches for example A B C D.
24 Sequences
Rhythmic Displacement/Polyrhythm 3 Against 4 Video Lesson
- Southern Rock Classic Lick Lesson 3 against 4 - YouTube
Dicky Betts Allman Brothers concept.
Rhythmic Displacement
Shifting a phrase ahead or behind can give you interesting results without having to change pitches.
Polyrhythm
Playing an odd number of notes against an even pulse is a useful device that automatically adds syncopation to a solo. 3 against 4 for example is when you take a group of notes for example A, B and C, and repeat them in an continuous eighth note rhythm (could be any value). This would be an uneven grouping if everyone was in 4/4 time as three eighth notes don't fit evenly in a measure.
- Pattern 1: 123412341234123412341234
- Pattern 2: 123123123123123123123123
These types of patterns also create the rhythmic displacement effect.
A repeating pattern is also known as an ostinato.
Ostinato
A repetitive melodic or rhythmic figure. Sometimes this is called a repetitive riff. These are often played in groups of 3, 4, 5 and 6
Pedal Tone
Playing a scale while alternating it with a single note above or below.
Target Tones
Intentionally ending a scale run or phrase on a predetermined pitch. These notes are often chord tones.
Syncopation
Playing melodies off the beat and emphasizing the upbeat.
Retrograde
Play your phrase backwards.
Substitution
Take a phrase and swap out various notes.
Counterpoint
Simultaneously or staggered, play scales in opposite directions. ex C D E going up while B A G are going down. B-C, A-D and G-E.
Can You Spot Some of the Discussed Techniques?
Modes in Music
- Modes in Music
An explanation of how modes in music work
- How to Memorize the Notes on the Guitar Neck
how to quickly and efficiently learn and memorize the notes on a guitar neck - The Simplified Basics of Starting to Learn to Play t...
This is the absolute bottom line of how to start playing guitar. The information given here is in small chunks, easy to digest and will give the student a solid foundation to pursue guitar mastery. - Pro Band - Jamming Tracks App Review
Pro Band. iPhone iPad iTouch Android rhythm tracks blues rock backing tracks review - The Basics of Playing Together in a Band
About how play in a band and not kill each other. Practice and rehearsal tips. - Becoming a Competent Musician
An overview of how to become a good musician. lessons, practice - Learn The 5 Positions of the E Minor Pentatonic Scal...
The minor pentatonic scale on the guitar, and particularily the E minor pentatonic scale is a blues and rock guitar staple. There have been so many guitar driven songs in this key that one could easily make a case for E being the starting place to le - Blues: An Original American Music
An overview history of how the blues started and progressed in America. - Blues Turnarounds For Guitarists
Details on how to play blues turanarounds on the guitar featuring 9 classic blues turnaround examples in tablature - Learning To Play Jazz Guitar From The Beginning
How to approach learning beginning jazz guitar - Bending the Strings in Blues Guitar
About the nuances of bending strings on the guitar
© 2012 Mark Edward Fitchett
