Improvisation & Soloing

This course contains a number of in-depth theory studies and lessons on improvisation over jazz standards. All of the concepts we cover are applicable to any jazz standard you are learning so the tips and concepts can be immediately transferable to any tune you want to improvise over.

Chord Scale Theory

Chords and scales share a very intimate relationship. This relationship is known as Chord Scale Theory . All chords imply a scale, or in some cases multiple scales and these scales are used extensively for jazz improvisation.

Major Modes

A mode is essentially a scale with an exotic name. We have learnt previously that every major scale has a relative minor scale which contains the exact same notes, but starts and ends on the 6th note of the major scale.

Well in fact, we get a new scale by starting and ending on each of the 7 notes of the major scales. Each of these different starting points creates a ‘mode’ of the major scale and each has its own unique sound. Furthermore, the 7 modes play a fundamental role in jazz improvisation.

The first step in understanding modal theory is to learn and memorise the modes of the major scale. The next step is to learn the melodic minor modes. The key to learning modal theory efficiently and effectively is to memorise the formulas in terms of scale degrees.

Finally we explore pentatonic scale improvisation, also known as the ‘West Coast’ sound.

Jazz Standard Improvisation Studies

We start with a study of "Blue in Green" which is a nice tune to dabble with improvisation. It’s only 10 bars long which makes it easier to keep track of where you are in the form. There’s lots of altered harmony which makes it perfect for applying the melodic minor modes in context. We cover some general concepts that you can apply to any jazz standard. These include arpeggio shapes, approach patterns, enclosures and choosing sustained notes carefully.

The "How To Swing" tutorial contains essential information if you are looking to improvise over medium to up-tempo tunes. If you are playing at a medium tempo, you will be expected to play with a swing rhythm.

We further our study of the tune "Tenderly" by adding upper structure triads and also apply a number of important improvisation concepts including scale runs, chord tone soloing, inner voice movement and stride left hand style.

"This Masquerade" is perfect for applying blues improvisation. In particular, we focus on intertwining the blues scales with modal scales to get more interesting sounds from our improvised lines.

This course finishes with an 3-part improvisation tutorial on the tune "Alone Together". We begin by exploring the form with left hand voicings and then explore the concepts of: target tones, chromaticism, approach patterns, enclosures, locked hands and blues scale improvistaion. This is a great tune for leanring how to play over minor 251s.

Improvisation is a difficult area of jazz to teach. First and foremost, you must completely immerse yourself in the jazz idiom by listening to as much jazz as you can – both live and off records.

Then the next step is to be regularly transcribing lines and solos… check out the course on "How To Transcribe Lines & Solos".