Tips and Tricks

Learning Improvisation

This example will use G major 7. Use the first three notes of the scale - G, A and B - and play them in any order, and any rhythm, repeating any of the notes if you want.

See the example below: you can enlarge it and then play along with the sound tracks provided for alto, tenor and flute.

Click image to enlarge

An example of learning improvisation

click for sound file in Eb (alto sax)

click for sound file in Bb (tenor sax)

click for sound file in C (flute)

Play the above example with the backing track. You can focus on just one bar, and play it over the whole of the backing track and when you have played all the examples using the G A B notes, make up your own variations. Experiment and have fun!

Check YouTube and Myspace, searching in music videos for Jazz Saxophone and Jazz Flute. You will find a lot of good players on these sites. Go and see live jazz, so you can see and hear how people play in different styles. This is a very important part of learning improvsation.