Lego Blocks - how I do improvisation

[ragman1]

I had 'Stickle Bricks'. An inexpensive imitation of 'Lego Bricks'.

Oh, there you are. I was beginning to miss being called folky. Hope you're well. It's raining again...

[Mark Kleinhaut]

I see now that this thread has bought the farm

[Mick-7]

I see now that this thread has bought the farm

We'll let you keep the chickens, Mark, we don't need the eggs.

[starjasmine]

It is quite often the case that I realise that what I intended to play wasn’t great and what I unintentionally played was better - but that’s almost a cliche at this point.

I rarely play a pitch that I don't intend when improvising; the connection between my ears, fingers and mental harmonic model is very strong after years of effort on this skillset.

That's not to imply that there is no mystery or wonder for me in improv; I experiment constantly with ideas that are rooted in substitutions rather than the changes that the rest of the band is playing. There's plenty of wonder and discovery there.

My biggest challenge with improv is that I don't always have the mechanical technique I need to execute that Martino-like line I hear in my head. Working on that... it's a lifelong pursuit.

Full disclosure: Most often, "wrong notes" or time mistakes happen for me when reading - I'll miss an accidental or misread a rhythm. Reading (especially reading rhythm) is my weakest skill, which why I like to put myself into "must read" situations.