fast improvisation

[CJceltics33]

How do I improvise faster? I realize the answer is "more practice" but I'm curious what faster improvisation comes from. Is it faster thinking through the chords? More familiar with patterns? More knowledge of what to play through changes?

What can I practice to work on this? Been doing choruses of just quarters, then just eighths, to try and get faster. What else can I do? Many thanks

[JayKosta]

My belief (and no, I can't do it) is that on-the-spot improvising requires 2 primary things -

1) 'knowing' where you're going (with little need to think about it) by just having the 'feel'

and

2) being able to get there - the notes (with little need to think about it)

It's probably (like I said, I can't do it) a matter of training your body to follow your mind (be able to play the right notes), and training your mind to go on the 'right path'.

The 'learning to improvise' books, theory, practice routines, etc. have the goal of instilling the skill and ability to do those 2 things.
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

[TrumpetMD]

[kehaulani]

Transcribe and play solos along with the recording. Break the solo up into licks that mean something to you, learn them and see how they fit into the underlying harmony. Practice them in all keys. Do them until they're second nature. Play them faster and faster.

Learn all your scales and chords until you don't have to think of them.

Really think about this quote and ALL that it means: "First you learn your instrument, then you learn the music, then you forget all that and just play “. Charlie Parker.

Remember, jazz is an aural art. Listen, copy, play; Listen, copy, play; Listen, copy, play.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[CJceltics33]

Thanks so much for the replies. That makes a lot of sense.

TrumpetMD, I am working from "Jazz Patterns' and 'Daily Dose of Scales for Improvisation' as well as some standards. Anything else you'd recommend? What jazz scales are you practicing? Thanks

[PH]

All of my 16th note lines are the 8th note lines I have played thousands of times. That is true for every professional level improviser I know.

One thing that might help is to think of the tempo in half time. In other words if the tune is a medium tempo swing at circa 120 beats a minute tap your foot on 1 & 3 (like cut time) and think of the tune as a ballad at 60bpm. This slows your thinking down & creates more of a focus on melodic playing. After this is comfortable, increase the tempo and continue to think in half time. Eventually, you will be thinking like you are playing 120bpm medium swing (and sometimes running double time lines) while the band is cruising along at 240bpm.

This really helped me. I first got the idea from talking to Hal Galper. He talks about it in his excellent book, "Forward Motion."
_________________
Bach trumpet artist-clinician
Clinical Professor of Jazz Trumpet, University of Illinois
Professor Emeritus of Jazz Studies, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Faculty Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops 1976-2019
JazzRetreats.com

[kehaulani]

[Dayton]

Check out Rich Willey's Improv Speed Builders.

[TrumpetMD]

[jhatpro]

What’s helped me is to play a lot out of the Charlie Parker Omnibook. I play the tunes first as ballads until I get the fingerings down and the sounds in my head.

Then I gradually increase the tempos a click or two at a time.

When I get so I can play them as written is when the fun starts. I see how much I can change them and still sound good.

An hour of this a day works wonders!
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[kehaulani]

Jim, do use the Eb Alto book or the Bb trumpet transposition?
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[Jaw04]

It really depends on where you are at as a musician and as a trumpet player. You need to have both the technical ability to play fast and fluently on the trumpet, and the musical ability to think fast, understand chords, and "hear" on many levels. The 2 things usually go hand in hand as you develop by spending a lot of time listening to music at a high level and practicing with your horn.
Figure out what you are strong at and grow that seed.
Figure out what you are weak at and be honest with yourself in your practice.

[Trumpjerele]

My improv teacher gave me the same advice as pat.

Foot tap only on beat one., so I can stay calm and not get lost in the changes.

At 240 rpm I can't drop many eighth notes in a row, so I try not to. Less is more.
_________________
Notice!!! Amateur musician without formal studies

Trumpet: Yamaha 8310Z
Mouthpiece: the great Yamaha11b4

Sax tenor: Yamaha YTS 23
Mouthpiece: Otto link tone edge

[joshlawrencejazz]

[BeboppinFool]

[TrumpetMD]

[jhatpro]

I use the Bb Charlie Parker Omnibook.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[kehaulani]

Thanks, Jim.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[Denny Schreffler]

[ECLtmpt2]

Thank You Rich!!