jonterman

Hello everyone,

I'm taking this Jazz improv class, and I'm supposed to go out to a jazz improv jam at a club/bar in the next two weeks.

Ok, never done this. I'm pretty nervous. I've been playing trumpet for a year now (played bass for 20 years in bands - never improv). Musically, I'm only a little worried - but technically...I'm pretty stinkin' nervous!

Of course I'm practicing...but I can always 'rewind' and do it again at home...like my teacher says 'improv is like standing on second base and pulling your pants down.' Looking for support and words of wisdom.

veery715

Don't try for technical snazz. Play long note solos and try to keep them simple. You will play notes you regret and some will sound downright bad, but keep playing and don't look back. Stand tall and look at the audience. They'll forget your mistakes even more quickly than you will - and if you don't you'll make more.

Your teacher is making it harder than it needs to be, IMO.

Since when do bass players not improvise? That's about all they do.

veery

jonterman

Thanks for the advice, I'll work on simpler solos...

It does seem pretty hard, I don't feel ready.

I should have been more clear about my bass playing, I was in rock n roll bands - learned and practiced the lines well before playing in public. I played them almost exactly the same every night.

Markie

Musically, I'm only a little worried - but technically...I'm pretty stinkin' nervous!
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Who cares how many notes someone can play?
You're on the right path, stay musical!

phittle

Markie is spot on! Keep it MUSICAL! Remember you are there to make Jazz, not to please others. Jazz is the ultimate democracy...you make Jazz your unique way. But listen around you and learn. The better players there will NOT be there to "cut you up"......but will encourage you and maybe even suggest ways for you to improve. The ego freaks attending will soon be separated out by their arrogance, and will eventually not show up at future sessions when it gets around "what competitive jerks they are...." It's about the music....nothing more.

kcmt01

If you listen to Louis Armstrong, you will hear very simple improvisations. It is the phrasing and perfection of every note played that counts. When a young player first begins improvising he or she should strive for that beauty instead of trying to sound like a cheap imitation of Miles or Dizzy by playing a bajillion notes. Every note I play is technically improv because we don't work from charts, just fakebook and chord sheets. We listen to each other to decide how to play. For instance, if the bass has a good groove going, my piano will back off her left hand. If the drummer has something going on that I really like, I might just play a sustained note and let him go, even though it's my solo. If you know how to listen, and especially how to count, the notes will come. Oh, and one more thing. If you can improvise on a trumpet (especially in church or in front of your peers) then acting on stage or being a news anchor or a speaker will be a piece of cake.

Jarrett

[quote=kcmt01;461644]If you listen to Louis Armstrong, you will hear very simple improvisations. It is the phrasing and perfection of every note played that counts. When a young player first begins improvising he or she should strive for that beauty instead of trying to sound like a cheap imitation of Miles or Dizzy by playing a bajillion notes. Every note I play is technically improv because we don't work from charts, just fakebook and chord sheets. We listen to each other to decide how to play. For instance, if the bass has a good groove going, my piano will back off her left hand. If the drummer has something going on that I really like, I might just play a sustained note and let him go, even though it's my solo. If you know how to listen, and especially how to count, the notes will come. Oh, and one more thing. If you can improvise on a trumpet (especially in church or in front of your peers) then acting on stage or being a news anchor or a speaker will be a piece of cake.[/QUOTE

Good point. Just relax. Confidence in improv has always been a hard point for me too. Confidence grows from experience. If you don't push yourself, you'll never get experienced.

And, for the record, I'm not good at acting on stage, being a news anchor, or a speaker. But, I can play the blues.

__________________
Bach 37
3C

kcmt01

[quote=Jarrett;461723]If you can play the blues, then Amen, Brother, Amen!

Brian H. Smout

Hi,

I would say that playing jazz is akin to airplane landings. If you can walk away when it's over you did fine Have fun, play with nice sound and keep it simple.

Cheers,

Brian

__________________
"Swift Current - where we're neither swift nor current"

jonterman

Great advice from everyone...I really appreciate it!

Bottom line I'm getting from everyone...keep it simple and musical, relax and have fun...

I'm pretty comfortable hearing the changes, keeping time, and even playing rhythmically - its the horn playing...when I'm on the spot I have a hard time playing the notes (with good tone) I'm hearing in my head. I guess that will come with experience.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll probably enjoy it most after I finish! And I'm guessing, like anything else, it will get easier the more I do it. Its not for a couple of weeks, but I'll post and let everyone know...