NOTES

Different approaches:

• Chord-scale-theory model

  • Berkely model (variation)

    • Improvisation from a theoretical perspective

    • Can be easier for students with a theory background

    • More about harmony, less about melodic content, style, technique, etc.

• Transcription model

  • Learn to play what the "masters" played and over time build that into your own style

Teaching Improvisation:

• Get them listening!

  • They need to know what to mimic

• Habit stacking

  • Melody - mimic the melody and make it their own (change rhythms, some notes, etc.)

  • Rhythmic play - give them a rhythm and tell them to use one note and build a solo using those parameters

  • Chord - scales - playing notes from scales with corresponding chords

    • Don't just teach the blues scale -- pentatonic scales are more easily transferable and more accessible for listening purposes

      • Pentatonic scales

      • Blues scale

      • "Blanket" scale

        • Identify ii-V-I's and the tonal centers

        • Look for the chord tones that work within the scale

        • Find the different notes chord to chord that will signify the chord changes (identifying guide tones -- 1/2 step neighbors -- 7ths and 3rds -- 5ths and 9ths)

        • Play with just roots, just thirds, just fifths, or just sevenths

  • Transcriptions

  • "Games"

    • See Haar handout below (PDF)

Books about improv: (mostly chord-scale model)

• David Baker's "Techniques of Improvisation"

  • The Lydian-Chromatic concept -- mode of the melodic minor (raised 4, lowered 7)

• Jerry Coker "Patterns for Jazz"

  • Standard progressions and patterns to practice

  • Teaching vocabulary

• Jamey Aebersold "Jam Session" method books (like a mini "Fake Book")

  • Tunes, tips, recordings, references

• David Burkman "The Jazz Harmony Book"

• Mark Levine "The Jazz Theory Book"

• Mark Levine "The Jazz Piano Book" (Dave's favorite!)

• "Charlie Parker Omnibook" -- transcriptions of Charlie Parker's solos written out like etudes (hybrid of CST model and Transcription model) (Dave's recommendation)

Technology:

• iReal Pro

  • Moderately affordable (approx. $20)

  • website has lots of tutorials

• Transcribe! (7th String Software)

• Chord AI