1. Write out a two-to-three-chorus solo on the Solar Chord Progression. Use some of the approaches offered in this Module and Module 2.  Record yourself playing over one of the Play-A-Longs provided.
  2. Transcribe different versions of the Solar melody from the Solar Playlist.  Listen to, sing along with, and learn on your instrument the melody notes and rhythms from a variety of musicians.  How do different artists perform this melody differently?  Which version is your favorite? Use some of the Melodic Embellishment Approaches as a starting point with different versions of the melody.
  3. Transcribe an improvised solo from the Solar Playlist. Choose someone who plays your instrument.  Or not.  Once you have learned a solo (even just 1 chorus!) use some of the Melodic Embellishment Approaches to interpolate the transcription – ex: play two measures of the transcribed solo and then two measure of your own improvisation.
  4. Record yourself improvising using a variety of Melodic Embellishment Approaches with different versions of the Solar Play-A-Long. Which approaches to improvising are more comfortable with which Play-A-Long?  Which Melodic Embellishment Approaches resonate with your current style of playing?  How can you mix-and-match approaches using triads/approach tones along with Melodic Embellishment?

Refer to the Play-A-Longs

Bass Only


Drums Only

Bass and Drums

Piano and Drums

Full Rhythm

 

 

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A Guide to Exploring Jazz Improvisation - Book 1 Copyright © 2023 by Keith B. Kelly; Eric Rasmussen; and Adam Roberts is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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