Improvising

Delvin Morgan · From: Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA

The art of improvising, can it be learned or is it a gift one is born with? How important is it? Can we arrange a piece and practice it just as well. I realize session players when thrown togther must have the ablility to improvise on the spot, but they are the cream of the crop.

If I were in a band, would asking the band to practice arrangments instead of improvising, be asking to much. You see I am having a difficult time with the fine art. Embarassed

Larry Lorows · From: Zephyrhills,Florida, USA

Hi Delvin, Just my two cents and some folks won't agree, but if it were my band and you asked me to not improvise, you would be gone especially in a swing type of song.

I don't believe you have to be at your steel to practice. Write down scales or what ever your trying to learn and think about it at work. Think about where they are on you guitar. Think about them during the commercial while watching TV.

Good luck, Larry
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Richard Damron · From: Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)

Delvin -

My primary interest in music is that of jazz - a cornerstone of which is improvisation. With that in mind, I'd steer you to Jamey Aebersold's site which contains a free download which fairly exhausts the subject. Be advised, however, that the imformation is IN DEPTH and is geared toward one who is serious about becoming a jazz player. DO NOT, however, be turned off by that last statement. There are innumerable tidbits of useful information for the novice - sometimes buried within a page dealing with several different subjects. My advice would be to READ every word and, with a discerning eye, pluck out those things which are readily applicable to your level of playing and interest. No, you DON'T have to memorize a dozen different and esoteric scales and chord progressions at this time so don't let those things beat you over the head. The basics are there if you're willing to do a little digging. A search of the "net" would, most certainly, yield much information on the subject.

One point that Jamey emphasizes is that of LISTENING. It occurs to me that every intro or break that you hear someone play on pedal steel was an improvisation upon a set of chord changes. There are literally thousands of such mini-improvs out there. Here on the forum such people as Greg Cutshaw have, on their site, tablature which amount to unique improvisations and are well worth the effort to investigate. And speaking of listening - We quite often visit the VFW here in Gallatin, TN on a Saturday night. In residence is Ron Elliot. Trust me - as much as I am familiar with all of the great jazz artists, I LISTEN to Ron as he improvizes his way through a part or all of a chorus of a tune. It's a different genre and one which I must learn. It would behoove you to search out PSG players in your area and camp out night after night just listening. No, you won't steal any of the mechanics of playing a given line but that is not the purpose of the exercise. You're trying to train your ears. With enough exposure, you'll hear a bunch of things in your head which you'll then transfer to your instrument.

I first learned the rudiments of improvisation some 40-odd years ago. This certainly gives me a leg up on someone who has just recently gotten their musical feet wet. However - the PSG is a unique instrument and its' place in music is, for the most part, equally unique. Given that, your focus need be narrowed to that which is applicable to your interests, the instrument and/or genre.

As to whether or not a group is open to the idea of arrangements, a flip of the coin is probably in order. Some leaders, and their members, may be amenable to the effort required - others not. A prime example of this art would be "Time Jumper" here in Nashville. They are TIGHT!!!!!!! Not to mention awesome! With a ton of improvisation to boot! They're on YOUTUBE and worth giving a see to.

Larry Lorows' suggestion concerning improvisation should not be taken lightly. I suspect that his is the norm as opposed to the exception.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention Charles Tilley's site. There's a hundred tunes posted by forum members and which contain everything from original arrangements of familiar tunes to prime examples of the art of improvisation. Go and listen.

This has been a long-winded reply to your question but the answer can be a resounding - YES - you can and will learn to improvise given the resolve and effort. My best wishes to you in your quest.

Respectfuly,

Richard

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Improvisation is what true music is all about!

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Whenever I'm learning something new, I always go out and buy the, "Complete Idiot's Guite to....."
In this case I would suggest the guides to, "Solos and Improvisation," and "Music Theory." After digesting those you will be in much better shape to go in depth. It can be done. But it takes time and effort.
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