camelbrass

Hi,

I need to improve my musicality (such a word?) and work on my improvistaion skills..they stink!! This was highlighted by a routine at big band the other night when we were playing a relatively easy piece, 'Mac the Knife' but the changes weren't happening. The lead player says 'Ok we play the melody by ear and then play through the changes so that your ear picks up the point'. Well thought I could do it, but man I struggled and by the 2nd verse everyone around me is wailing away and I'm still trying to put the melody together!! I know it all comes with practice and I like to think I have a reasonable ear.

I do get to play the odd solo but generally have to take it home and work on it and even then my solo's are fairly bland (and not exactly improvised). Does anybody have any suggestions about some literature or CDs that I can buy which will help me cement the whole concept together or am I chasing the 'Holy Grail'.

Regards

Trevor