Posted on 2025-06-10

Jazz Improv Strategies

From an email exchange with a former teacher.

That's the way I approach solos. I write a solo (without notation) and play it a lot learning from mistakes. Then I develop a strategy which is basically key centers but sometimes this part of the chromatic scale works here or here's a good way to play this turnaround.

Then I write another solo. Use the same process to develop a strategy. And then I can mix and match.

By then I can play either solo, use either strategy, mix and match, or improvise freely embracing the mistakes which can be quite interesting.

And I also start with singing and I try to get where I can sing when I play.