Suggestions For A Good Practice Regimen

[Bud]

I am a retired (78 years old) former music educator who still enjoys playing for my personal enjoyment and I have a goal of becoming a much better improvisor. My practice generally consists of scales, long tones, arpeggios in all of the keys and tune playing. I also spend a considerable amount of time with the Jerry Coker "Patterns For Jazz" book. My biggest problem is appears to be my inability to make a smooth transition from playing the various chords, scales etc. to actually utilizing them in tunes so the result is a pleasant musical effect. Any specific suggestions you may have based on this little bit of information I have provided will be appreciated.........

[ZenBen]

Bud, there are two ways that I would try to get over this hump. The first is to just keep playing the melody of a song over and over - well past the point of complete boredom with the song. Each time you start the melody again put a little twist into it - vary the rythm, approach the note from above or below, at the end of a phrase when the melody has a long note add a fill, etc... Eventually you will get to the point where you are just hinting at the melody and mostly improvising. One thing to be mindfull of is that all notes that you add to the melody must fit the chord of the moment.

The second method to try is to take the chord progression of the song you are playing and go from chord to chord and try some of the paterns you are practicing on these chords. I would do this at first not in time. Just play on each chord for a while to get the sound of the chord and to figure different paterns you like over that chord. When you get comfortable going through the chord progression like this try doing it in time with a metronome.

I think the most important thing to remember is to do everything slowly.

I hope this helps.

[Bud]

Thank you ZenBen for your clear and concise suggestions. Please be assured that I will make every effort to do some of these things in the manner you are suggesting. I think you illuminated one of my stumbling blocks when you mention taking liberties with the rhythm. I believe my history of being so disciplined over the years in sticking closely to the metre and time etc., that it has caused me to be too regimented in my approach. Having been a band director for a long time, I have difficulty when everything is not metronomic . Thanks again!!!!!!