Weekly Improv Tips

[Drklobz]

Thanks Music997, I'm glad you're enjoying them!

I have a new post up today on a free jazz exercise to help unlock your creativity. Check it out at http://jasonklobnak.com.

Enjoy!

[Drklobz]

A new post is up today on the benefits of recording yourself. Check it out at http://jasonklobnak.com.

Enjoy!

[Drklobz]

A number of you have young students so I wanted to start a new mini-series on teaching improvisation to kids. Part 1-Have Fun! is up on my site at http://jasonklobnak.com.

Enjoy!

[Drklobz]

Part 2 of teaching improvisation to kids (keeping it simple) is up today at http://jasonklobnak.com

Enjoy!

[Drklobz]

Part 3 of teaching improv to kids is up today. This part focuses on feeling rhythm and having an internal pulse that helps their rhythmic creativity. Check it out at http://jasonklobnak.com

Enjoy!

[Drklobz]

This week's tip at http://jasonklobnak.com is on thanking your mentors. If you've ever had someone support you in your musical journey then I encourage you to take some time out this week to thank them.

[Drklobz]

This week's tip at http://jasonklobnak.com is on Targeting the Bar. If you've struggled with your phrasing then I believe this week's tip will help add value to your playing. Today's lick of the day is also another good example from this week's tip. Be sure to come back often to check those out.

Enjoy!

[Cubby Phillips]

This is great stuff. However... I feel that, at a certain level of proficiency, "working on improv" as in copying and playing licks over changes or trying to improve dynamics, thematic development, or motifs is against its nature. One should listen to music they enjoy, play what sounds good to them, a explore the realm of music. Intention gets in the way of creation. Practice things like developing aural sense and technique, for with these one can express without worrying about whether what one's playing "works" or sounds good.

[Drklobz]

Hey Cubby...thanks for checking the site out! You'll notice when you go through some of the archives of past posts that more is talked about then just applying licks, thematic material and motifs. There's a post on transcribing yourself that goes right along with your advice and is something that I think everyone should do on a consistent basis. I have the Lick of the Day up to help people that may want some extra vocabulary to work on. I've had a lot of people stop in just to check that out.

In the end, we're all trying to find our voice and make music. But, we all get there from different angles and perspectives. My hope is to add value and benefit to people that learn differently then their neighbor.

[Drklobz]

This week's tip is taking at a look at who are your influencers? Besides asking the question of who influences or inspires you we take a look at other sources that can influence the way we improvise. Check it out at http://jasonklobnak.com.

Enjoy!

[Drklobz]

There's a new tip up this week at http://jasonklobnak.com that looks at the benefits of mapping out your options when looking at a new chord progression. I hope you enjoy it and that it adds some value to your playing!

[Drklobz]

The 2nd part of the Map It Out series is up today at http://jasonklobnak.com. In this installment we finish mapping out the intro/vamp to the song Stand Firm. Enjoy!

[Drklobz]

The 3rd part of the Map It Out series is up today at http://jasonklobnak.com. In this part we move on to the "A" section of Stand Firm. Enjoy!

[Drklobz]

The 4th and final part of the Map It Out series is up at http://jasonklobnak.com. In this final part we look at the "B" section and map a route through the progression of Stand Firm. I hope you've enjoyed this series!

[Drklobz]

I have a new post up today on analyzing one of Donald Byrd's lines in his solo on Nica's Dream. Check it out at http://jasonklobnak.com

Enjoy!