Module 1: Building Blocks of a Jazz Improvisation Vocabulary
Each module contains:
- A set of concepts and approaches
- Suggested ways to practice and apply new ideas
- Creative ways to broaden the application of concepts
- Goals and projects to demonstrate developing vocabulary and concepts
The first concepts one might approach include the following building blocks: scales; triads; intervals; and rhythmic ideas. The more comfortable one is playing these foundational components of music, the freer you are to be creative in your improvisations. The necessity of each of these musical elements is evident throughout the history of jazz music and the pedagogy behind how to address these is well documented in other texts. What is intended in this module is to give the reader a starting place and material to return to over and over again throughout their study of jazz.
Resources
Download or Print Module 1 – PDF #1 Major, Dorian & Mixolydian
Download or Print Module 1 – PDF #2 Triads and 7th Chords
Download or Print Module 1 – PDF #3 Intervals
Download or Print Module 1 – PDF #4 Rhythmic Exercises
Audio Examples
1, 3, 5 half steps
5, 3, 1 half steps
1, 3, 5 up one & down the other
1, 3, 5 Phrased in Jazz 8ths
1, 3, 5 Spaced in Whole Steps
1,3,5 Spaced in Fourths
Download 1, 3, 5 half steps Here
Download 5, 3, 1 half steps Here
Download 1, 3, 5 up one & down the other Here
Download 1, 3, 5 Phrased in Jazz 8ths Here
Download 1, 3, 5 Spaced in Whole Steps Here
Download 1,3,5 Spaced in Fourths Here
Internals
Minor 3rds in half steps
Minor 3rds starting with upper note
Minor 3rds up one down the next
Major 7ths up in half steps
Download Minor 3rds in half steps Here
Download Minor 3rds starting with upper note Here
Download Minor 3rds up one down the next Here
Download Major 7ths up in half steps Here
Rhythmic Ideas
Offbeats, off 1 and 3
Offbeats, off every beat
Off 1 and 3 with 3 8th Notes
On the Beat, off the Beat Two Notes
On the Beat, off the Beat Three Notes
Groups of Four 8th Notes With One 8th Rest
Groups of Five 8th Notes with One 8th Rest
Triplets Up and Down Scale
Triplets Up and Down Scale Phrased in 2’s
Download Offbeats, off 1 and 3 Here
Download Offbeats, off every beat Here
Download Off 1 and 3 with 3 8th Notes Here
Download On the Beat, off the Beat Two Notes Here
Download On the Beat, off the Beat Three Notes Here
Download Groups of Four 8th Notes With One 8th Rest Here
Download Groups of Five 8th Notes with One 8th Rest Here
