Friday Talk 9/20/24

Today on Yamaha Music USA #silentbass and Lakland Basses Friday, we continue our discussion on improvisation. Today, "it's not just a solo". When I mention improvisation to some players, I get "..I don't need that, I never solo.." Like the title says, it is more than that. What I am talking is about an "improvisation mindset". It teaches intimate knowledge of harmony, melody, dynamics, articulation song structure and your instrument, which leads to purposeful, creative play. For example, you're playing a tune, and the guitar player takes an extended solo. This mindset allows you to change the line ur playing in such a way that it keeps the feel, but changes it enough to give the tune and soloist somewhere to go...it can be subtle or not (breakdown? Double time? Change of style?), but is always structured, creative, purposeful and new. U dig? Ok, some homework. Take a tune..slowly alter the bassline..keep the feel, but make deliberate changes based on the tune's rhythm, harmony and structure...start small and make more drastic ones..see how far you can go and still be true to the song. Next, take the song and completely change the feel...again, see how far you can go.. Lastly, take a tune and make your own melody. Follow the harmony and song structure, but be as original as possible...u just made a solo!. The improvisation mindset opens so many possibilities, applicable in many situations, genres and styles and brings YOU to the music. Next time, we continue this discussion. As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #basslessons #remotelessons