Quote:
Originally Posted by Maelstrom
And don't say that improvisation is necessarily an on-the-spot process. If you look at the transcribed and chord-mapped solos of famous jazz musicians, you'll see that what is improvised is actually highly logical, smooth, and coherent. They write pieces on the spot. This same thing happens in classical music too, btw.
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The prep for improvisation isn't an on the spot process- sure. You either have to learn all of the chord symbols and how to play the appropriate scales, arpeggios and the proper substitutions for all of them. Then you learn licks (either from memorizing other people's solos or slowly playing through the chord changes yourself) to build up a vocabulary and familiarity with the chords.
I'm sure there are re-occurring licks for all players- it because the manner in which one plays solos (just like people have a tendency to speak in a certain manner). However, jazz improv (particularly when done by masters) is an on-the-spot art. Just because it is logical, smooth and coherent doesn't change the fact that they're making it up as they go. It just means they're really good at it!
