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Today on @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we begin a multi-part talk on improvisation. First, I want to get a few things cleared up. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BASS SOLO...or a guitar solo...or a piano solo...etc. it is Just A SOLO! Specific attributes of a given instrument notwithstanding, the approach of improvisation is exactly the same....period. I have taught ensemble classes for many years, and NOT ONCE did I change my approach for a given instrument. Now, we can talk about "instrumental breaks". These require some improvisation, of course, but tend to stay around the same material of the tune. These tend to be augmentations or "break downs" of the tune and tend to bring interest and emotion. These are really great, really fun and are not the focus of this talk, though many of the tools I will cover can apply to them. In theory, (and the approach I was taught), true improvisation is YOUR melody over the harmony and should be totally original and creative EVERY TIME you play. Now, I have had students and colleagues say that you should include some of the original melody in ur improvisation...well, maybe. It is ultimately your choice. But IMO, that practice lends to "formulaic" playing. Improvisation has structure..even "free improvisation". It should tell a story and have interest, tension/release, dynamics, articulation, space, etc. We will talk more about these in coming weeks. IMO, being comfortable with improvisation greatly improves your playing because you approach ALL music differently and more creative. So, to begin.. listen to a solo you like...any genre. Determine the structure, the harmony, the melody...why do you like it? Look to see what aspects you can assimilate into ur playing... but not "copying." Make your own solo..use the tools creatively and originally...be YOU! We will cover some specifics in later talks. As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbass #sitstrings #philjonesbass #tsunamicables #basslessons #remotelessons