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About D C DowDell
Expertise
D C DowDell will answer questions about Jazz improvisation, composition, chord voicing, scales and modes, practice techniques and ear training. Professor DowDell also enjoys discussions on Jazz musicology and the evolution of style.

D C DowDell is a professional Jazz pianist/composer who currently teaches online Jazz studies at A Passion for Jazz!. Professor DowDell has been teaching music for over 25 years at 2 major universities, several community colleges as well as accepting students for private study.



Experience
As an educator, D C DowDell has published articles at the university level and recently published Basic Musicianship a primary reference text for pianists, vocalists and composers.

D C also maintains an active performance schedule, having appeared with Rosemary Clooney, Marilyn McCoo, Bobby Vinton to name just a few. Generally, D C stays in the Southern California area with Jazz ensemble or as a solo artist.

Organizations
American Federation of Musicians
National Music Teachers Association
International Association of Jazz Educators

Education/Credentials
Bachelors of Music Education from UCLA
Masters of Music Composition from UNT

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Jazz > Jazz > Jazz piano improv?

Jazz - Jazz piano improv?


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

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