Improvasation Steps

Delivery is a crucial element of musical success, improvisatory or otherwise. If Frank Sinatra can make the phone book sound lyrical, surely our delivery should afford us a convincing way to make the most of our improvisations.” - Tony Garcia

How to Prepare a solo

  • Memorize the Melody by learning it by ear. Then write down the notes on a piece of paper.

    • Sing the Root of Each Chord

    • Sing 1 2 1 Exercise

    • Sing 12321 Exercise

    • Sing the Chords 1 3 5 7

  • Find three different recordings of the song and a soloist, and find your favorites

    • Listen to the chorus 3 times

    • Be able to sing it with the recording 3 times

    • Sing it without the recording 3 times

    • Perform it with a backing track

    • Write down the solo on staff paper

    • Find Motifs that work

    • Develop it in every way you can think of

    • Rule of three during the solo - play a motif at least 3 times

    • Decide on a Topic or Motif

    • Leave Space (Reflect on what you just said)

    • Stick to your Motif (Rule of 3)

    • Use Low hanging fruit

      • Dynamics, register, speed, harmony, articulation

    • Create a story and have an arc to your solo, start simple and grow to a big ending