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Originally Posted by flugelgirl  I had a teacher who would make me stop and write down licks that I played that I liked during a practice session and learn them in all 12 keys. that way, you have some patterns that come from YOUR head and not just anywhere! |
I like that... that's great advice! When I was in college I was a reader only. I couldn't improv to save my life. It wasn't until I left school and met a guy that had the first Aebersold volume that I really started getting into improv. I had listened all my life though, and that really helped a lot. I had been taught or told (at least) at some point in my life that you should start with the blues and so that's what I did. I believe that first volume has blues in Bb and F. I spent hours, days, weeks, and months just on that volume (while slowly moving into other stuff). I recommend doing the same, and I've just recently bought "Melodic Structures" by Jerry Bergonzi. It's a great book and CD.
You have to practice scales and patterns though!!! If you don't do it already, do your Clarkes and similar exercises. I use the Vizzutti method books, specifically Vol 1 for my warm-up, and he has you play technical exercises (Clarke 2nd study derivatives) which go through major, minor, half diminished, diminished and whole tone. That alone has worked wonders for my improv skills. Lack of confidence can kill your solos and if you see a chord symbol and aren't familiar with its associated scale then you just can't be confident enough to be creative over that chord.