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Improvisation is often thought of as ‘making up a lead solo freely on the spot’. In some senses this is true, but for improvisation to take place, there needs to be some structure and foundation behind it. To solo over any chord sequence a scale is required, as this is what defines the choice of notes that will fit with the backing chords. Not all the notes of the scale need to be played, nor in any particular order (and certainly not in the set order). Once the scale has been learned, the aim is to use it in a melodically inventive and creative way, which ensures that the resulting playing does not sound too scale-like. Short phrases should be used, rather than a continuous flurry of notes and it does not matter if there are gaps. All the notes of the correct scale will fit over all of the backing chords, although some will sound better than others. However, playing the wrong scale over a chord sequence will sound pretty dire; the song’s key should be identified before any improvisation begins. Since nearly all songs begin with the tonic (i.e. home key) chord, the easiest method is to check the first chord of the song. For example, if the first chord is A minor, it is pretty certain that the song is in the key of A minor.
Phrasing and rhythm
The rhythmic aspects of improvisation should be given as much thought as the melodic content; rather than playing the scale in straight time, a far more musical and inventive sound can be achieved by playing some notes quickly whilst allowing others to ring on. Originality is not the main aim of improvisation, it is more often an amalgam of things that have been played before.
A good way to start improvising is to use a well-known melody as a template for rhythm and phrasing. The notes of the melody don’t need to be played instead, some of its rhythmic aspects can be borrowed to give the improvisation structure and direction.
By repeating certain series of notes, well-defined phrases will begin to be established that will give the improvisation structure. Once an acceptable phrase has been identified, it can be varied slightly when it is played again that way it will sound fresh, whilst still giving the listener something recognisable to latch on to. Leaving some gaps between phrases is a good idea as it gives the music space to breathe.
Simply playing scales up and down is not enough to make a good solo. Scales only set the range of notes that will be in tune in any key. It is up to the player to create melodically and rhythmically interesting phrases from the scale.
Style
The improvisation should fit with the style of the backing; the accompaniment and the vocal line should be listened to, ensuring that the improvisation sounds right in the context of the song. Improvisation can be practised with other musicians, or over backing tracks or records, all of which help to enhance listening and playing skills the key to good improvisation. Lengthy periods of improvisation practice without any harmonic backing should be avoided; it is very difficult to develop a good sense of phrasing and style this way, and it is hard to leave gaps when there is no accompaniment, so the results can often become over-busy.
It is important to listen to the improvisations of other instrumentalists. Their ideas and approaches to phrasing can be adopted, and variations of their musical ideas can be incorporated into future improvisations.