Creative Improvisation

Improvisation is the art of creating something quickly, with limited time to plan and with limited materials. To improvise, you need to make quick decisions and see relationships quickly, while you’re creating.

Can Improvisation Be Pre-Determined?
By definition, improvisation is not pre-determined. For example, if you plan out all the notes of a solo and then play them, it’s a composition, not an improvisation. (In some cases that may be OK, such as for very short solos or recordings where a specific result is needed.) Here’s what you should study and plan ahead of time:


• The elements of the song to improvise to (chords, scales, rhythmic style, etc.)


• The basic mood and feeling of the song



• Song organization and chords (where the chords repeat or change)


Here’s a common improvisation question: “Why can’t I plan ahead to use my best stuff?” The answer comes back as another question: “Am I trying to impress someone, or am I really trying to create musical ideas that capture each moment?” Focusing on “your best stuff” limits your vision so it’s harder to see ideas that may work better than your best stuff. Improvisation and the Creative Process Improvisation follows the steps of the basic creative process. However, you greatly speed up the creative steps and execute them in seconds or split-seconds. This is really the fun and scary foundation of improvisation; you make important decisions in each second of time, so the creation evolves and takes shape before your eyes. The Art of Improvisation helps you make your own improvisation decisions, quickly and successfully.
Here’s how the 5 creative steps are handled in improv:


Creative Step Jazz Improv Approach
1. Visualize what you want to create. Picture the chord symbol; see a melodic shape.
2. Plan & design it. Choose the starting pitch for the melody; add rhythm.
3. Understand your tools & materials. Pay attention to how the melody takes shape on your
instrument; watch for technical challenges in
fingering, air, positions, etc.
4. Solve problems that arise. Work your way around technical/creative obstacles;
use mistakes as new ideas when possible.
5. Analyze and improve the creation Picture and remember what you just played so you
can develop it or go on to something else.