Members Alanfc Posted May 8, 2006 Members Posted May 8, 2006 atleast it is for me. 2+ weeks of mixing and no guitar playing, then solo spots tonight at band practice---frozen fingers, no imagination. Horrid.What about you.?
Members Li Shenron Posted May 8, 2006 Members Posted May 8, 2006 I studied improvisation years ago, and the more I "practiced" it, the less I liked my results. I've learned that I can improvise well only when I really don't What didn't work with me was that by improvising I really thought I had to play from scratch, like "random". Given time, they said, I would have been able to produce better and better phrases. But at the same time, I was loaded with more scales and modes to improvise on, without really becoming decent on any. With all that knowledge, my concentration was entirely busy with following the patterns on the frets, and NOT THEIR SOUND! Either you are accustomed enough with both your instrument and those scales, to be able to "think" a phrase and play it down immediately, or otherwise you should try to prepare your improvisation beforehand - not necessarily completely, but study specific phrases that you like on top of certain chords, so that you don't need to search for them on the board when you're playing.
Members Tarv Posted May 8, 2006 Members Posted May 8, 2006 Originally posted by Li Shenron to be able to "think" a phrase and play it down immediately, . The ultimate goal
Members Little Dreamer Posted May 9, 2006 Members Posted May 9, 2006 I usually find my best improvisation is done when I haven't picked up a guitar for a while. My brain's full of new ideas and since the technique is down a bit, I have to keep it interesting with actual musical ideas instead of the usual "Oh look, my fingers decided to do a big long run. There they go again...hey guys, can I get a word in edgewise here?!?".
Members UnderTheGroove Posted May 9, 2006 Members Posted May 9, 2006 Originally posted by Tarv The ultimate goal Agreed.
Members Alanfc Posted May 9, 2006 Author Members Posted May 9, 2006 OK thanks Yes the frustration comes from the hands. My improv isn't full of scales and impressive stuff but I think whats really happening is just plain 'weak legs' so to speak
Members dastardlydrvish Posted May 10, 2006 Members Posted May 10, 2006 I try not to think too much when improvising... Not to think conceptually at all, if i can help it. Try to play as though your guitar strings were vocal chords, and don't be afraid to step out and leave some space . That's the stuff i try to remember in my approach to improv.
Members WanaBscallopwnd Posted May 10, 2006 Members Posted May 10, 2006 Excellent book that covers this idea of "sounding the best when you're giving the least effort" Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner (hope i spelled that correctly) every musician should read that book though, really. No, I'm not getting commission ;-)
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