Just How To Exercise Jazz Piano Improvisation

It's all about discovering jazz language when it comes to becoming an excellent jazz improviser. So unlike the 'half-step below strategy' (which can be outside the range), when coming close to from above it seems much better when you maintain your notes within the scale that you're in. That's why it's called the 'chord scale over' strategy - it remains in the scale.

So instead of playing 2 eight notes in a row, which would last one quarter note ('one' - 'and'), you can separate that quarter note right into 3 '8th note triplet' notes - where each note of the triplet coincides length. The initial improvisation technique is 'chord tone soloing', which indicates to make up tunes using the 4 chord tones of the chord (1 3 5 7).

I usually play natural 9ths over many chords - consisting of all 3 chords of the major ii-V-I. This 'chordal structure' seems ideal if you play your right-hand man loudly, and left hand (chord) a little bit quieter - so that the audience hears the melody note ahead.

Simply precede any kind of chord tone by playing the note a half-step below. To do this, stroll up in half-steps (with the whole chromatic scale), and make note of all the notes that aren't in your current range. Cm7 expression (7 9 3 5) with single tune note (C) played to intriguing rhythm.

Currently you might play this 5 note range (the incorrect notes) over the exact same C minor 7 chord in your left hand. With this method you simply play the same notes that you're already playing in the chord. Chord range above - half-step below - target note (e.g. E - C# - D).

A lot of jazz piano improvisation exercises piano solos include a section where the tune quits, and the pianist plays a collection of chord voicings, to an intriguing rhythm. These consist of chord tone soloing, method patterns, triplet rhythms, 'chordal appearances', 'playing out' and more.