People always ask me the secret of improvisation and how to play jazz. It all seems so obvious.

A baby learns to crawl takes a few staggering steps and then who knows, a possible Olympic sprinter is born.

   The link here is ‘practice’ and so it is with jazz.

   It helps to know where you’re going and just as the infant learns to master the skills of balance and obstacle avoidance by looking ahead, the improviser too needs a sense of direction.

  This is where music theory kicks in.

At first just make noises on your chosen instrument without looking at printed sheet music.

  You may have noticed jazz players performing with their eyes closed so they can focus on the sound.

  Don’t worry if it sounds strange at first and above all don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.

  You’ll need a thick skin to play jazz.

  Everybody seems to be an expert knowing what’s best.

  The famous jazz trumpeter Miles Davis became so bored by ignorant comments about his music that he would often turn his back to the audience during a performance.

  The last time I wandered through a mainstream CD shop in Cannes France about 300 different Miles Davis titles were on display.

  He outnumbered his nearest rival ten to one!

Try to copy others. Later on you’ll find your own voice.

  You’ll need to listen to other players first so ask around. CD shops, musical instrument shops, other musicians and don’t forget to check out “Jazz” on the internet. 

Take advantage of live performances when ever possible and have a chat to the performers after the concert if you can. You’ll find most top line musicians very approachable and helpful.

  Learn your music tables.

  Yes, I know that sounds dull and reminiscent of early school days but scales, chords and chord progressions are the heart of improvisation. They need to be memorized, practised on your instrument and ultimately forgotten so that you play and create freely without having to think. 

Playing jazz is like having a conversation except that it’s in the language of music.

  Can you imagine trying to hold a normal conversation if you had to spell out each word?

  Even ordering a pizza would be agony!

  Get together with other players. Musical interaction is a great learning accelerator. Even regular concert and brass bands offer chances to improvise.  Improvisation is now an integral part of some modern symphonic compositions and definitely rock bands abound with opportunities for jazzy improvised solos.

Last of all if you find that neighbours are throwing bricks and breaking your windows when you’re practising it’s most likely because they want to hear you better!

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