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How to Develop a Jazz Solo (First Steps)

How to Develop a Jazz Solo (First Steps)

FromLearn Jazz Standards Podcast


How to Develop a Jazz Solo (First Steps)

FromLearn Jazz Standards Podcast

ratings:
Length:
32 minutes
Released:
Feb 8, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Welcome to episode 256 where today I walk you through some different steps for beginning to develop a great jazz solo. A common mistake I hear is beginning a jazz solo with lots of notes and a myriad of ideas, rather than using call and response and a thematic building ideas. I show you actionable steps you can take to start bringing your solos to life.Okay, what was wrong with that solo? There is something horribly wrong with that solo and what was wrong with it was, right as soon as it was my turn to solo, I came out of the gate just playing as many notes as possible, just trying to fill up as much space as possible. And guess what, it probably sounded boring. It probably didn't spell the chord changes as well as I could have. It just didn't sound that musical. It was just a lot of notes regardless of whether they are the right notes or not.So, the big question is, how do we develop really awesome jazz solos? Well, that's exactly what we're going to do today. We're not going to do what I just did. We are going to make really awesome jazz solos that sound great. In this episode:1. Start with simple rhythms using only one note per chord 2. Slowly add more rhythmic complexity and additional notes to your idea 3. Create rhythmic and melodic phrases and practice "carbon copying" them over different chords as an exercise 4. Use direction of your lines to help manipulate your motific ideas 5. Manipulate your rhythms to create more space Important Links:LJS Inner Circle MembershipFree Guide to learn standards by ear: Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way Learn Jazz Live 2021 Virtual Summit
Released:
Feb 8, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

The LJS Podcast is the podcast where you get weekly jazz tips, interviews, stories and advice for becoming a better jazz musician! Hosting the show is the jazz musician behind learnjazzstandards.com, author, and entrepreneur Brent Vaartstra, who’s one goal is to answer any question about playing jazz music you may have. Jazz can be a challenging music to learn and play, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. Each episode features a specific musical challenge that jazz students may come across, where it is discussed and answered. Special jazz guests frequent the show, sharing their expertise on an array of different musical subject matter. Listeners are invited to call in with their jazz questions to the podcast hotline, where it could get answered on a future LJS Podcast episode. Join thousands of other listeners getting free jazz education every week!