| Jazz
improvisation is the process of spontaneously creating fresh
melodies over the continuously repeating cycle of chord changes
of a tune. The improviser may depend on the contours of the
original tune, or solely on the possibilities of the chords'
harmonies. It has been said that the best improvised music
sounds composed, and that the best composed music sounds improvised.
Composed music and improvised music may seem to be opposites,
but in Jazz they merge in a unique mixture.
A common misconception about Jazz improvisation
is that it's invented out of the air. This notion may exist
because many small Jazz groups do not read music when they
perform. Jazz players will choose phrases that seem to be
preordained so you intuitively know where they are going,
even though it's being created at the instant you are hearing
it.
The musicians are actually spontaneously creating
a very intricate form of theme and variation; they all know
the tune and the role of their instrument. The guitar, piano,
bass and drums, while all able to solo, basically provide
the rhythm and harmony over which the soloist will create
improvised variations. The structure is flexible so that the
soloist may venture in various directions depending on the
inspiration of the moment.
But there's more to Jazz than just improvisation.
Composers such as Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus wrote
occasional Jazz compositions practically devoid of improvisation.
The real challenge comes when a composer integrates improvisation
into a piece, merging Jazz composition and improvisation in
the act of creativity. Coleman Hawkins' Body and Soul, or
Thelonious Monk's Straight, No Chaser, are sophisticated compositions
built from the improvised line.
Composers including Bach, Handel, Mozart,
Beethoven and Liszt have all been celebrated for their ability
to improvise. In a sense, all Jazz musicians are also composers.
While they do not necessarily sit down with pen in hand to
write out their solos on score paper, their solos do require
the same discipline as that of any composer. Listen to players
who are both great composers and soloists, such as Benny Carter
or Billy Childs, improvise their own material and extend their
creative reach.
Three methods of Jazz improvisation are melodic,
harmonic and motivic. Improvised melody occurs when musicians
use slurs, alternate notes and syncopation in order to recreate
the melody in new and interesting ways. Improvising harmonically
employs chords and tone centers to inspire new soloing.
Improvising by redefining motives, phrases
and statements serves to sophisticate the musical arrangement.
Just as no two artists would paint a scene in the same way,
no two musicians improvise in the same way. Seasoned Jazz
musicians combine these techniques to create new works, inspired
by the original melody, harmony and structure, but representing
their unique creative passions.
The
History Of Jazz | Guitars
- One For Each Style | The
State of Jazz | Styles
of Jazz Music - part 1 |
Styles
of Jazz Music - part 2 |
Jazz
Improvisation | London
Jazz Guide |
Top
places for Jazz in New Orleans |
Four
Jazz Artists On the Move |
