Learning to improvise

Improvisation is the art of making up a solo on the spot. The notes you play form melodies and interesting sounds over the chord progression beneath you. Improvisation doesn't just involve the soloist, however. The whole group interacts with the soloist much like a conversation between friends. The soloist with "say" something, the bass player responds, then the pianist, etc.

Soloing seems daunting for the beginning player. What should I play? Which notes are the right ones in this song? Keep in mind that improvisation is a lifelong learning process, something which can always be improved and explored. Here are a few simple thing to try to get yourself started soloing:

1. Learn your scales/keys. Start with the 12 major keys, then learn the minor keys, then dominant, etc. For a good reference on keys look here: (compiled by Paul Elkouss). Start with the "easier" keys, C, G, F, etc.

2. Become familiar with your instrument. Try to imitate songs, play them in different keys. For example, "Mary had a Little Lamb" can be played in the key of C:
E D C D E E E, D D D, E G G
Now try to play the song starting on an A (key of F), then try starting on other notes.

3. Play along with songs you like, figure out how to play them "by ear". By ear means without looking at music or someone telling you which notes to play, you just figure it out on your own, "by ear".

4. Try to balance the difficult activities with the fun activities. Many students quit playing the saxophone because they find it's not as fun as when they first started, it gets "too hard". Discipline yourself by practicing the hard stuff first (scales, excersizes) then the fun stuff (learning your favorite song, playing by ear).