How to Improvise on Jazz Saxophone

One of the elemental aspects of jazz is improvisation, which is melodic inspiration used to create a new vibe to the music. Saxophone players need a good ear for what blends with the music. If you improvise too much, you loose the original thread of the music. Too little and you sound like you lost your place.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Listen to great examples of jazz like Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Miles Davis or George Coleman. You can apply the theory of improvisation to any instrument and learn from musicians who play instruments besides the jazz saxophone.

2. Understand rhythm, syncopation and motifs. You want to blend spontaneous creation with established patterns, licks, phrases or riffs.

3. Learn the fundamental elements of improvisation, which include blues scales and seventh chords. Often improvisation uses a modal two-chord sequence. A chromatic scale provides a quick way to get back to a seventh chord note.

4. Embellish the melody of the song. Ways to do this include changing the articulation or dynamics of the melody, dividing longer notes in a trill or altering the rhythm.

5. Use different approaches. A saturated approach crams as many notes into a 15 to 20 second window where the minimalist approach uses as few notes as possible.

6. Plan where you land. The last note of the improvisation leads you back into the melody or song. Landing on the wrong note causes a poor sound and diminishes the quality of your improvisation.

7. Practice different techniques and create your own. You can start by developing a short, repetitive riff and modifying it as your skills improve. Experiment with jumping octaves