jammin

[sakura]

I wonder what would be the best way to learn improvisation well enough to play fluently...
????

[Banksia]

What level of playing are you at now?

[sakura]

not beginner an intermediate i guess. I play but not so well as i want to.....I have tried practicing and etc ,but when it's time for improvisation or soloing i play confusedly.

[FatJeff]

The first choice would be to get yourself a qualified teacher. They can guide you a lot better than we can, since they are in person and can see your playing. Second choice would be to work out of a proven method book. A lot of folks on here like the Micky Baker books for this. Others say good things about the Jodi Fisher method. And of course there is always the old standby, Berklee Modern Method For Guitar.

Tell us this - if you saw a chord progression that went

Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7 - Fmaj7

how would you play over the chords?

[jschaf024]

i'd play by ear in a novice way. but what is the proper way, fatjeff? any ideas? thanks

[Baltar Hornbeek]

start with a real simple song, like Row Row Row Your Boat or Hot Cross Buns. Play the melody forwards, backwards, split it up to different beats and play it upside down. Change the 3rds to major or minor, play sharp 5ths and flat 5ths. Mix up different notes, play different song melodies over the same chords. Play any scale you can think of, try arpeggios from different chords. Whistle while you work. And listen to everything. Like if you're playing, and you hear a dog barking outside, try and get that sound in your music. Try and make you notes reflect speech patterns. Pretend your guitar is a drum. End with the original simple melody.

Most people can not invent nice melodies so don't be too hard on yourself, copy the greats. oh yeah, tap your foot and sing.

[jschaf024]

that's great, thanks for the reply. basically do anything you can to be original.

[Baltar Hornbeek]

don't worry about being original, just try and be musical

[jschaf024]

good advice. thanks. this may be off topic, but my goal is to be able to 'jump in' with anyone and play...good. i've been in situations where i could have played with others who've spontaneously invited me, but i have doubted myself. what stupid decisions not to.

[Dark Star]

I found these video clips to be very instructional & inspirational:
John Scofield on improvisation, pt. 1
John Scofield on improvisation, pt. 2
John Scofield on improvisation, pt. 3

[jschaf024]

those are great, thanks for the link