In this short video I attempt to demonstrate how I like to practice Major Scale melodies.
Often times we practice the same way we practiced when we where young, only faster. That is, instead of learning better melodic material as adult improvisers, we just play old childish material faster and we somehow believe or feel this is improving. Although playing fast can sound impressive, particularly to younger players, it does not fundamentally change the quality of the melodic material one is playing. One thing that makes Charlie Parker so advanced is that his melodic integrity, ingenuity and sophistication sounds just as good at 40 bpm as it does at 250 bpm. Furthermore, melodic quality sounds good even if you can’t play fast where as poorly constructed melodies sound bad to a well trained ear at any tempo (admittedly, speed can often help suspend disbelief). The point is, working on strong melodic material can help make you a compelling improvisor even if you have modest technical abilities like Ben Webster or Paul Desmond.
Lastly, learn to sing the ideas you work on. David Baker, whom I studied with for one year, used to say, “if you can’t sing it, you can’t hear it”. The singing will give you poetic, musical control of your language and help you stop playing “by hand”.
~ Enjoy!
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