How to Improvise with “Nouns” and “Verbs” for Pro-Level Solos
If you want to improve your soloing, it’s important that you learn how to improvise with “nouns” and “verbs.”
Let me explain…
Nouns are things: horse, table, banana.
The musical equivalent is a melodic motif. Think about the opening of Sonny Rollins’s solo on St. Thomas:
There’s something tangible there. That initial phrase – the A down a fifth to the D. That cell, that motif is developed and explored for the next eight measures.
But in measure nine, Rollins goes into action, or “verb” mode. He unleashes a tidal wave of vocabulary – licks that connect seamlessly and flow through the chord changes.
He makes it sound so easy. But we all know it’s anything but.
I’ve talked at length about how to play in “noun” mode. The key word is Repetition. Also, my go-to maxim: “duck duck goose” may ring a bell for my students, course members, and YouTube subscribers in the house.
But what about “verb” mode? How do you play endless lines that dance with the harmony instead of just running up and down chord-scales?
Well, there’s more than one way to skin that jazz cat.
You could study enclosures, goal notes, connectors…
Or you could go the most straight forward route: build up your vocabulary, i.e., learn licks.
And if you really want to get on the express train to becoming a better soloist, learn licks over the most common chord progressions.
The ii - V - I progression is a great place to start, and boy, do I have something exciting to share with you today that will turn you into a ii - V - I master.
I’m talking about Sick Licks – a brand new series of six books I’ve just released. This project has been in the works for several months now, and I’m so psyched to get you in on the action.
And to celebrate the launch of Sick Licks, I’m offering an exclusive 20% discount to my email subscribers. That means YOU!
Go to the link below, decide which books or bundles are right for you, and enter code SICK20 at checkout for some sick savings ;)
https://go.jeffschneidermusic.com/sick-licks
Happy Shedding!
Jeff
