How to notate an improv?

I need advice as quickly as possible. Deadline in less than 12 hours, to go to the printer and binder... :S

I have a piece for piano and trumpet. Around 15 pages. At some point, while the piano is playing rather specific things, already notated, the trumpet goes to total improvisation. While the rest is notated as normal, 1 and 1/2 page is improvisation.

How on earth do I notate that, on the trumpet? I want something "classy", not just a communication salvation like a box in the staff "Improvisation here" or similar.

Any ideas would be most wonderful.

PLEASE!

It would be cool if the written part just kinda faded out.. like the notes get smaller and lighter over the course of a measure or two as the improv starts and then fades back in at the end.. in between is just empty staff.

Might not be feasible or even a good idea, but it would look cool.

OR.. the five lines could close into a one line staff for the length of the improv.

That would actually probably work better than the first idea

You can control HOW the player will react.

Give them something that will steer them in terms of contour, density, intensity//...or something. Some squiggly lines/dots/boxes will do the trick.

Also, plain english helps too ... over empty measures, give a duration and directions "Sparse, G Phrygian noodles - 1 minute" ... "Sheets-of-sound, 30 sec."

...

Ah... huge thanks Robin! ^_^ you too Cody

or just do it like it was used during classical time, according to the harmony and chord progression of the passage, give the player just full notes, to give specific ranges in the measure, and then the player will do invent music according to the things you have written.

^^^That's great! Or notate ala chords instead of figured bass.

I - V - IV or Bb F Eb.

In Finale, use Slash notation for the measures

Here's what I did, if anyone is interested in having a quick look. Won't say online too long! ;)

Unique Final.pdf

Looks good, Nik! :thumbsup:

That will work well...

That looks VERY nice!! Hope the piece sounds as cool as it looks.