Chapter 3: Advanced
Soloing With Jazz Progressions

Objective: To learn concepts for soloing with jazz chord progressions

This lesson we will try to focus on what are known as "Jazz Licks" because these are primarily phrases that are from jazz compositions and solos which over the years have been used by many great musicians. Each student should try to use them in several different ways by:

1) Learn each example one at a time and then use against a chord progression (II-V) like the one on the loop provided in Master Class for Improvisation #1.

2) By changing any A to Ab in these examples, they can be used for the chord progression Ddim to G7 instead of D-7 to G7. Play through Master Class for Improvisation #2 using this approach.

2) Transpose the examples up a whole step to create a (III - VI - II - V ) chord progression. Try combining two different patterns instead of transposing the same one and apply them against the loop provided in Master Class for Improvisation #3.

4) Play the same notes from the examples but vary the syncopation of the phrasing. You should try and experiment with as many rhythmic variations as you can handle

Finally, apply the above suggestions to each song loop (from Adrian's Tent & Nothing Personal) so that you can get a feel for how to start thinking independently about which choices you want to make. Quite often we find that learning something and then applying it can be two totally different processes. After you feel comfortable soloing with a few licks from the examples start using them during your next gig.............you'll be amazed at how quickly you can build your musical vocabulary!!

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