Hi, I joined the forum for advice on playing saxaphone(Alto and Tenor). I was wondering how the heck do you improvise, in a jazzy sort of way?

What is your understanding of theory? That's where it all begins. At least a basic understanding of music theory and listen to as much jazz music as you can get your hands on.

As Dewey said listen to as much as you can, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Ben Webster and countless others.

Are you familiar with chord changes, or any type of Jazz theory?

A great book for helping you to improvise is Jamey Abersolds Maiden Voyage book I believe its vol. 54 (tell me if I'm wrong). It has tunes like Autumn Leaves, Impressions, etc... The books contain a CD with a rhythm section accomp. and chord changes with their respective scales. Check out your local public library if you cant buy one, they usually have them on hand.

If your curious about chord changes, download Abersolds Scale Syllabusat www.jazzbooks.com its under a link called free jazz. This should help you get started, but remember you have to be a good listener to be good improviser.

If you're serious about playing jazz pick up The Real Bookit is a jazz fake book with alot of standard tunes, I believe it is now legal.

Good Luck
CJ

It's legal, I bought it when I was in college and that's been a few years. AWESOME book but you really need to check out some of the books CJ mentioned before picking up the real book.

Listen, listen, listen.

Hmmm...I see. I thought improvisation would be simple to learn but it looks like I need some studying to do before I can improvise. Patience...I just don't have it...-_-'

Nothing comes easy. If you don't want to work and don't have a serious appetite for repitition music isn't a good fit for you.

I never want to reply negatively, but not much choice here.

If you have no patience to play or work at something like improvisation, I would put the sax in it's case, return it to the school and play x-box all day. Being or doing something creative takes alot of work, and it never stops, once you reach one of your playing goals, there will just be another one to tackle. I give anyone credit for really working hard playing music. No one, except other players really understand the time and dedication it takes to play something like the Creston "Sonata", or the passion and emotion involved in playing Bozza's "Aria".
If this is something that you do not want to dedicate time to, my advice would be to get out now and stop wasting your time, and your listeners time.

CJ

ive been playing in a jazz band for four years and i play the sax improvising isnt really that hard once you learn the chords
learn the chords so you know what notes you can play. then play the scale(chords) wherever your solo is
then start messing around w/ the rythm. once youre comfy w/ that you can start making up ur own stuff
i know that sounds confusing.. but try it
emily