1. Improvisation The ability to create music on the spot By Chase Quintana

2. What to improvise from? The three things you can improvise from (going from least difficult to most)‏ -Chord -Scale -Melody Usually will have a chord progression to improvise off of

3. What notes to play? Easiest to just play the chordal tones - 1, 3, 5 of the scale (and 7 for a seventh chord)‏ Any other notes located in the key of the root Goal Note – Emphasis on 3 rd and 7 th tones Modes... Alternatively, you could do “free improvisation”, but a little advanced

4. A Short Tune Chord tones

5. Which mode? Modes are all of the different scales you could play for a certain root. Major Triad Ionian - Standard maj. Lydian - maj. w/ Raised (sharp) 4th Mixolydian - maj. w/ Lowered 7 th Minor Triad Aeolian - Standard min. (Lowered 3, 6, and 7)‏ Dorian - min. w/ Raised 6th Phrygian - min. w/ Raised 2nd and 6th Diminished Triad Locrian - dim. w/ Lowered 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 (dim. has b1, b3, and b5)‏ Best to start with Ionian, Dorian, and Mixolydian Different styles call for different modes

6. 7 th Chords? Chordal tones (1, 3, 5, 7)‏ Modes - maj7 - Ionian, Lydian min7 - Aeolian, Dorian, Phrygian

7. Progressions? Its best to improvise so that your last note in the bar leads into your next chord Different for each instrument Changes the style, feel Rock Style – Dm7/ Gmaj7/ Cmaj7/ Fmaj7/ Bm7b5/ G7/ Cmaj Folk Style- Cmaj7/ Fmaj7/ Cmaj7/ / / G7/ Fmaj/ Cmaj

8. Simple Chordal tones w/ Progression

9. Rhythm Patterns? Changes the sound of the music Long notes make for low energy and activity High notes make for high energy and activity Different for each instrument

10. What to Work On? Experiment with different modes, rhythm patterns, and progressions Play around with different tones Practice (you will get faster)‏ http://www.howmusicworks.org/ http://www.jazclass.aust.com/im1.htm