[Trombone-l] Fwd: Improv in daily routine
bjmchaffie@aol.com
bjmchaffie at aol.com
Thu Jan 3 16:56:29 CST 2008
> Along with tone, scales, and chord spelling, chord function within a
piece is
extremely important. For example, let's consider a A minor triad. In
the
context of a piece, is it a I harmony, a VI harmony, a II of V harmony,
or a V
of II harmony? Certainly it could be any or all of those things. Where
that
knowledge becomes helpful in improvisation is in being able to hear
chordal/harmonic structure particularly in a unfamiliar, or somewhat
familiar
work. Suppose you've only had a chance to learn a particular tune in
C.
Knowing the names of the changes in C may not help you if you find you
have to
play the tune in Eb. Knowing how the chords function in the harmony
and hearing
that way can help. In short, while a A minor triad might be a VI chord
in C,
the VI chord function in the tune will be the VI chord function
regardless of
the key.
I find that if I listen to Classical or near Classical (Gershwin) as
background music
a lot, improvisation literally jumps out of the brain.
beldon wade
This is exactly where I find that theory falls on its face. I was
improvising,
long before I learn theory. I did studio work, did a few live radio
shows, did
lots of demo work, even had a top-ten R&B hit.
Yes theory is VERY important. But it's most important because it gives
you a
context for ear training. It's ear training that tells you where you
can take a
particular phrase. If I was charting a tune I'd be aware that it was a
I, VI,
II, V, for example. But I don't actually think about I, VI, II, V when
I'm
improvising, I'm just playing something that I think will sound good
with the
music. And when you start getting into whether the chord is from this
key or
that key, well, you just missed the point.
You're not trying to play notes of a chord. You're playing musical
phrases,
phrases that have a similar flavor to the tune. The theory wakes your
ears up
to what's possible, but it's your ear that tells you what to play.
That's why I
start people on the basics. Start by playing the scale of the piece
you're
listening to. Alter that scale slightly, so that it wounds better.
Now try an
exercise, like a Hannon Piano exercise, in the key of the music you're
listening
to. Alter that exercise to make it sound better, when played with the
music
you're listening to. This stuff gets your ears working on what sounds
good and
what doesn't. When your ear gets better, you should be able to play
the melody
and other parts of the music you're listening to. Start simple, like
with Kind
of Blue or Sugar. Work up to West Side Story or Giant Steps.
Boredom will set in many times along the way, where you're simply sick
of that
same old stuff you play. The boredom will drive you to catch up on
your theory,
ear training, scales and exercises. The boredom will drive you to try
playing
other things.
But most importantly, improvisation is a learned skill. It's not just
going to
hit you some day, while you're working on technique. You need to
practice it.
Enjoy,
DanP
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-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Pliskin <daniel_pliskin at hotmail.com>
To: trombone-l at server5.samford.edu
Sent: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 4:02 pm
Subject: Re: [Trombone-l] Improv in daily routine
> Along with tone, scales, and chord spelling, chord function within a
piece is
extremely important. For example, let's consider a A minor triad. In
the
context of a piece, is it a I harmony, a VI harmony, a II of V harmony,
or a V
of II harmony? Certainly it could be any or all of those things. Where
that
knowledge becomes helpful in improvisation is in being able to hear
chordal/harmonic structure particularly in a unfamiliar, or somewhat
familiar
work. Suppose you've only had a chance to learn a particular tune in
C.
Knowing the names of the changes in C may not help you if you find you
have to
play the tune in Eb. Knowing how the chords function in the harmony
and hearing
that way can help. In short, while a A minor triad might be a VI chord
in C,
the VI chord function in the tune will be the VI chord function
regardless of
the key.
This is exactly where I find that theory falls on its face. I was
improvising,
long before I learn theory. I did studio work, did a few live radio
shows, did
lots of demo work, even had a top-ten R&B hit.
Yes theory is VERY important. But it's most important because it gives
you a
context for ear training. It's ear training that tells you where you
can take a
particular phrase. If I was charting a tune I'd be aware that it was a
I, VI,
II, V, for example. But I don't actually think about I, VI, II, V when
I'm
improvising, I'm just playing something that I think will sound good
with the
music. And when you start getting into whether the chord is from this
key or
that key, well, you just missed the point.
You're not trying to play notes of a chord. You're playing musical
phrases,
phrases that have a similar flavor to the tune. The theory wakes your
ears up
to what's possible, but it's your ear that tells you what to play.
That's why I
start people on the basics. Start by playing the scale of the piece
you're
listening to. Alter that scale slightly, so that it wounds better.
Now try an
exercise, like a Hannon Piano exercise, in the key of the music you're
listening
to. Alter that exercise to make it sound better, when played with the
music
you're listening to. This stuff gets your ears working on what sounds
good and
what doesn't. When your ear gets better, you should be able to play
the melody
and other parts of the music you're listening to. Start simple, like
with Kind
of Blue or Sugar. Work up to West Side Story or Giant Steps.
Boredom will set in many times along the way, where you're simply sick
of that
same old stuff you play. The boredom will drive you to catch up on
your theory,
ear training, scales and exercises. The boredom will drive you to try
playing
other things.
But most importantly, improvisation is a learned skill. It's not just
going to
hit you some day, while you're working on technique. You need to
practice it.
Enjoy,
DanP
_________________________________________________________________
Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live.
http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_122007
_______________________________________________
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Trombone-l at samford.edu
http://maillists.samford.edu/mailman/listinfo/trombone-l
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