The Easiest, Most Effective Exercise for Improving Your Solos...

In yesterday’s email, we talked about the importance of prioritizing melody over harmony in your solos.

Today we’re going to dig in to prioritizing rhythm over all of the above.

Here’s the thing: You can play notes that don’t fit the chord changes and still improvise a decent-sounding solo (if your rhythm and time are solid.) It’s called “playing outside the chord changes.”

But the flip side of “right” pitches and bad rhythm...well, there’s a name for that, too... it’s called “you suck.”

Unfortunately, rhythm takes a back seat to pitches in most music education circles. For some reason, modes with ancient Greek names steal the spotlight.

SHUT YOUR EYES, MARION! DON’T LOOK AT IT!

Trust me, you’re much better off focusing on playing with better time and rhythm than stressing about memorizing the modes of the harmonic minor scale.

Alright, let’s get to the exercise. It’s pretty simple and very effective.

Repeat the same two-bar rhythm for an entire solo.

Yes, that’s all there is to it. No, it’s not sexy. Yes, it will make you a much better improviser.

To be clear, I’m telling you to predetermine a rhythm and stick to it – no variations. Not one!

By setting the rhythm in stone, you put it in its rightful place at the top of the musical food chain.

Once you’re able to fully commit to a single rhythm, you can start to add subtle variations and allow your phrases to evolve over the course of the solo.

When you combine this rhythm-first approach with strong melodic content, you will sound like an improviser who actually knows what they’re doing instead of some newb floundering about with a bunch of silly chord scales.

If you’d like to see how it’s done, check out my latest etude book, Chord Tone Magic, in which I demonstrate how to solo with only chord tones over popular jazz progressions.

BONUS ALERT: I’m including a free, 27-minute etude analysis of my solo on “Fly Me to the Moon” when you purchase your copy of Chord Tone Magic by Friday, December 11.

By studying the etudes in Chord Tone Magic, you’ll not only pick up on my favorite rhythmic and melodic tricks, but you’ll also internalize the sound of the chord progressions on which the solos are written.

It’s a real win-win.

Alright, time for everyone to get back to the shed. But first, click the link below to get your copy of Chord Tone Magic today (plus the free bonus video!).

Click Here to Get Chord Tone Magic Plus the Free 27 Minute Bonus Video

Jeff