THE J oyOFIMPRov

INT 0 u TION TO o
N
Every human being has the potential to improvise music! Within
you, an infinite stream of music can flow, as endless as an ocean
and as individual as a fingerprint. The creative possibilities within
even the simplest musical forms are limitless; these infinitepossi-
bilities exist at your fingertips, awaiting your discovery! The abili-
ty to improvise will open the door to a lifetime of creative fulfill-
ment and artistic expression.

Improvisation has been an integral part of many musical tra-

ditions. Many of the great composers in the Western musical tra-
dition were also great improvisers. (Until the 1800's,improvisa-
tion was an expected part of any performance.) Indian and other
world musical traditions place a great importance on improvisa-
tion as a means of emotional and spiritual expression. With the
advent of Jazz and Blues, the art of improvisation has once again
become a vital force in the Western musical tradition, and musi-
cians worldwide are seeking the tools to help develop their
improv potential.

For those of us who have had a traditional background, the

emphasis has been on interpreting the works of Beethoven, Bach,
etc. Improvisation, on the other hand, is more akin to being
Beethoven, than it is to playing Beethoven! The JoyOflmprov will
help you break free because in this approach, the emphasis is
placed on the process of creation rather than on the attainment of
a perfect performance.

Improvisation unifies feeling, hearing and playing as an

10
 THE J oyOFIMPRov f
expression of your heart, ears and hands. It's the simultaneous
action of your spirit, mind and body, energized by inspiration, joy
and swing. The source of the music is found within you, rather
than on the printed page. Improv is about breaking free from
pre-composed music, in order to express your own feelings, with
your own musical voice. It is the joy of creativity expressed in the
spark of the present moment, the

Now!

Improvising is a natural human impulse in which we tap into

our own limitless supply of original music. It is a process which
can be learned by anyone, not just those that seem to possess a
natural gift for it. While the impulse to improvise is natural, the
realization of this ability can be complex. What is needed to
address this complexity is a method; an approach which develops
the special abilities required to access and express your musical
identity. A strong foundation, including ear training, technique
and theory is necessary before the freedom to improvise can truly
be realized. The first Books of the JoyOflmprov are designed to
develop this foundation, in order to help you make the transition
from the interpretive world of a traditional musician, to the cre-
ative world of a player.

11
 1. Solo Pattern (transcribe and play in all keys)
2. JazzHanon (transpose chromatically and play in 12 keys)
3. Cmaj7 Basic Voicings (transpose to Db, D and Eb)
4. Blues: "Autumn Blues"
5. JOI Line: "Leaf Line"
6. Sing with solo (LouisArmstrong: "Struttin' W/Some Barbecue")

1. JOI Solo Pattern

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"The only thing new under the sun is what you create."-Lennie Tristano1