hey folks
With jazz improvisation, is there a specific way to figure out what notes to use based on the key of the piece or anything? I know about the chord progression vaguely..but don`t quite understand how to make up stuff on the spot using notes that all fit in and sound good.
How is it done?

In my experience there really is no way to "teach" improv. Just listen to Maynard or Chris Botti, then try to copy them. Once you get a few ideas, put on a Jamey Aebersold CD and mess around. After a few weeks you`ll get comfortable with it and begin to improve. The main part is just have fun. In improv nobody knows if you screw up, so just put your soul into it and wail!