Expert: D C DowDell - 9/11/2009

Question
Hi there! I play piano in my jazz band, and I was wondering if you could give me some basic tips for improv on piano solos. What in particular happens in a good piano solo, and what can i do to practice solo improv? Thanks!

Answer
Hello Corinne and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com.

A good solo reflects the material you're soloing over. In other words, the tune you're soloing on should be the inspiration for your expression. It's like you're retelling the story in your own words.

Here is a helpful outline:

http://www.apassion4jazz.net/improv2.html  


Look for the chord progressions that the tune is built from:

http://www.apassion4jazz.net/progressions.html


Those progressions point to tone centers.

Example: Dm, G7, C

In this example C is the tone center.


Use those centers to determine the scales to build your phrases, your expression:

http://www.apassion4jazz.net/jazz-chords-scales.html



Thanks for the interest,

D C DowDell
Professor of Music
A Passion for Jazz!
studio: 619.223.2069
mobile: 619.855.2069
http://www.apassion4jazz.net