Jazz Improvisation Fundamentals #2: Incorporating and Assimilating Jazz Vocabulary

As a jazz improviser, my ultimate aim is to craft spontaneous and creative musical statements, incorporating melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements unique to the context at hand. Achieving this goal necessitates a systematic and creative practice of jazz vocabulary derived from the rich tradition of the genre. This article delves into the essential process of incorporating and assimilating jazz vocabulary, emphasizing the role of historical improvisational material as a foundation for creative expression.

The critical first step in this journey is identifying sources of jazz vocabulary, with a focus on learning and internalizing “licks” that encapsulate specific harmonic information. Resources like Greg Fishman’s Hip Licks and transcribed solos serve as valuable starting points, fostering a deeper connection through active listening and personal transcription work. The article proposes a structured approach, advocating the learning of “licks” in all keys and their integration into the harmonic progressions of various jazz standards.

The systematic process outlined in the article yields tangible results in the form of an internalized and versatile jazz vocabulary. By selecting specific “licks,” learning them in all keys, and plugging them into diverse musical contexts, improvisers develop the ability to access and deploy these phrases spontaneously. The incorporation of historical jazz vocabulary enhances the improviser’s capacity to react to musical events in real-time, bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application.

In conclusion, the crux of jazz improvisation lies in the assimilation of jazz vocabulary, and this article provides a structured path to achieve that mastery. The emphasis on identifying sources, learning “licks” in various keys, and integrating them into specific tunes builds a foundation for improvisational prowess. The article advocates the importance of practicing portions separately, ensuring flexibility in deploying acquired vocabulary as per the musical context. Ultimately, by diligently practicing historically accurate jazz vocabulary, musicians internalize a tool that enables spontaneous, creative, and truthful musical expressions. This disciplined approach offers a structured pathway to mastering jazz improvisation by fostering a deep connection between learned vocabulary and the expressive language of jazz.