Hobbies And Interests
Call and Response
"Call and Response" is used in many musical formats, and can help the improviser develop his skills. The group leader will play a passage and other musicians will trade off at "answering" the phrase. Try different variations in your response: echoing the phrase back note for note, playing the same phrase a few notes higher or lower or altering a few of the notes in your response. Or play something entirely different. The only limitations should be the notes of the scale you are playing in, along with your own imagination.
Pass It Around
When improvising in a group setting, continue with the call-and-response game. Have the next musician in line pick up what you just played and base yet another response from that. Pass the musical idea down the line, with each musician playing something based on what he&'d just heard. The leader then restates the theme, bringing it home to end the game.
Conversations
The leader plays a phrase, perhaps four measures&' worth. The next player then "answers" the leader, pretending he&'s having a conversation. The two can go back and forth, as if they&'re having a discussion. This back and forth can also be used on stage. Split a solo line between two players and have them play back and forth in a musical conversation.
Sounds Around You
Pay attention to some of the sounds around you. Try harmonizing with the birds singing outside your window. Listen to talk radio, pay attention to the rise and fall of the voices, and play to that. The sounds to which you are playing don&'t have to be musical. The improviser&'s job is to make music out of them.
Scenes and Emotions
Your leader states a theme on his instrument and instructs you to play something to it, expressing an emotion he suggests. Try expressing anger, fear or joy through your instrument. You can also try to re-create scenes through your instrument–a busy street downtown, a dog chasing a cat or a train leaving the station.