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Hi there,
I'm quite new to jazz guitar, and I've been learning it on my own so far. I have been improvising on solar, but I'd like to get some feedback for things I could work on:
Here is my solo on it:
Here is my comping on it: Stream Solar Comp by cuppajoeman | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
Thank you for looking at it!
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11-11-2021 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by cuppajoe
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Hi, cuppajoe.
What I can say from listening to your playing is you need to work on your phrasing.
If you have mastered your chord tones/non-chord tones, arpeggios, modes, etc. you might want to look at the lesson I created for improvisation that can help that. Click the link in the video's description box if you want to know more.
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Welcome to the forum.
You're hitting the notes in the chords. Where you can improve is by understanding that melody is not only notes. It's a mix of notes and rhythm.
When you're practicing, take the first 4 bars and play something that is:
1. Satisfactory rhythmically, and
2. Satisfactory harmonically.
You have to hit the right notes, but it also has to be interesting rhythmically.
If 4 bars is too much, then start with only the first 2 bars.
Make up a phrase by choosing a rhythm that is satisfactory and engaging and then putting the correct notes to it.
Now that you have a handle on how to make a proper phrase, continue through the rest of the form building with this approach.
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I agree with what's been described above. Would also say you should prioritize playing in time and with purpose above all else. If you need to play less to accomplish that, you should. I'd much rather hear someone just play a couple notes with good time than sheets of sound with no discernable rhythmic or melodic purpose, no matter how good those notes are or how virtuosic they are played.
I made a video this AM to help with this, starting with understanding the melody/harmony, then some exercises/ideas for soloing musically. Kind of an experiment for me with a long(er) form explanation. Have timestamps in the description to help navigate:
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If you're new to jazz, it is a pretty good start
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Thanks so much for the feedback everyone. I'm trying to follow Clint 55's advice, it makes sense
because it lets me focus on the two parts of improvisation in isolation.
Running Beagle, your video is so helpful! I'm still just working through your
discussion about the melody so far, but I'm definitely starting to see the
connection between the melody and the harmony as you're saying. I'll leave any
questions I get in your video's comment section.
EJGuitar, I really enjoyed listening to your improvisation in your youtube video, I wasn't sure how to get to the lesson
you mentioned, but I'll just try understanding your explanation in the videos
description for now.
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That's a nice lesson RunB.
I also dig the old school nome. Playing it on the 2 and 4 gives a great visual demonstration of swing. Mesmerizing! Might have to own one of those again one day and ditch the battery operated gizmo I've been using for decades.
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Originally Posted by citizenk74
If I were to nitpick it a little bit, I'd say that you need a little more snap, crackle and pop to your time feel.
Back in the day, the advice might be to listen to a great swing artist. Maybe that kind of finger-snapping, head-bobbing thing that Sinatra did in the 50s. Or Basie.
Lock it in like an aggressive bass player trying to push a swing band by playing quarter notes (walking).
I know that may sound a little too much like fluff, as advice goes, but locking in great time feel is the single most important thing you can master.
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Originally Posted by cuppajoe
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Originally Posted by cuppajoe
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Im also a beginner. I find it helpful to freely improvise melodies. Also, practicing hearing/anticipating harmonic movement helps. Here’s an example of what I mean: Login • Instagram
Last edited by Peterson; 11-15-2021 at 10:06 AM.
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Originally Posted by Peterson
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Originally Posted by charlieparker
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So I recorded another one of me on a jazz blues. This time I limited myself to focus on triads and I also tried to leave some more space, am I moving in the right direction?
The changes on this one are
C7 F7 C7 C7alt
F7 F7dim C7 A7alt
Dm7 G7alt C7 G7alt
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Hi joe, and welcome
I thought this could be helpful:
I actually composed solos for several songs. It happened naturally, while I was working out the groove (mentioned above), I heard lines in my head ....... so I figured them out and had a pre-fab solo for each of these tunes.....
I believe it helped me put the mechanics and groove together. ...as much as I have
-best,
Mike
Starting a phrase late
Yesterday, 11:19 PM in Improvisation