PowerPoint Presentation

By Jason Roth

Melodic toolsImprovisation takes more than just creativity, it takes structureCreate a storyKnow various licks!Motifs can be made from licksMotifs will help listeners understand the story you are trying to tellTunes are structured using motifs

MotifsExample from melody of a tuneMiles Davis: Relaxin with MilesIf I Were a Bell, by Frank LoesserPhraseSlightly varied How to learn!

Licks!Here is a lickThe lick is very simple

The lick highlights a cmaj chord

Resolves on root

Licks (continued)Constructed by resolving on chord tones

Licks (continued)

Some licks can resolve on tensions

These are harder to master

If a lick sounds good, then it sounds good!

Practicing licks

Licks should be proficient in all keys

Take time to play hard keys slow

Play backwards

Be creative!Licks can also be useful for fast lines!

Three RsRepertoireRepetitionRelaxing

Final notes Improvising gets messy when one plays too many notesMotifs should help one play less to express moreListeners will be able to sing along and PARTICIPATE

If I Were A BellMiles DavisRelaxin', track 11956496523.9eng - www.legalsounds.comOleoMiles DavisSonny RollinsRelaxin' With The Miles Davis Quintet1956iTunes 10.2.2.12, QuickTime 7.6.9