CAN PATTERNS TEACH YOU HOW TO IMPROVISE? Jazz Tactics #27

Are patterns a good way for a beginner to ‘learn the ropes’ of improvising? These questions were posed in response to Episode #26 in the Jazz Tactics series. While that one focused specifically on patterns to be used over a cycle of dominant chords, the questions delve into the broader concept of the use of patterns as an approach to jazz improvisation.
TIME STAMPS
00:00 Are patterns a good way for a beginner to ‘learn the ropes’ of improvising?
01:30 Would it make as much sense to transpose patterns chromatically rather than through the cycle?
02:56 You said we should be able to identify the intervallic relationship between all notes. That seems like it would take a long time to learn.
04:55 Are the patterns you play in the videos similar to Coltrane patterns?
06:27 How can patterns be used to create a melody rather than sounding like a mechanical exercise?
ABOUT THIS SERIES
This is the 27th video in the Jazz Tactics series, exploring elements of jazz improvisation, based on my book of the same name and a university course that I taught for over thirty years. The sequential videos in this series will provide a solid foundation of understanding of the principles and practices of jazz improvisation, on both aural and intellectual levels. Below are some suggestions to get you started:
Do You Speak Jazz? • YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW T...
What Makes Jazz Jazz? • TRADING FOURS WITH FRE...
Why I Can't Teach You Jazz • WHY I CAN'T TEACH YOU ...
What's So Great About Chet Baker? • TRADING FOURS WITH FRE...
Trading Fours With Freddie Hubbard • TRADING FOURS WITH FRE...
Improvising on Autumn Leaves • IMPROVISING ON AUTUMN ...
Improvising on Sweet Georgia Brown • SWEET GEORGIA BROWN Ja...
Improvising on Rhythm Changes • IMPROVISING ON RHYTHM ...
Improvising on There Will Never Be Another You • IMPROVISING ON ANOTHER...
Improvising on All The Things You Are • IMPROVISING ON ALL THE...
ABOUT THIS CHANNEL
On this channel, jazz trumpeter, educator and author Chase Sanborn offers information and advice for musicians and music appreciators.
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/ @chasesanborn
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MORE INFORMATION
For more in-depth and personal information and instruction, check out Chase's books and online lesson options on his website:
www.chasesanborn.com

[@thelastwildcolonialboy3667]

I'm self taught. I learned by copying other musicians by ear. These ended up being patterns. Over time the patterns I was learning slowly began to make sense as theory. Now I'm pretty good at theory, jamming and composition. I actually use rhythm a lot to give my patterns musical fluidity. One of the best cutting contests I ever saw was a high level jazz sax player vs a high level funk trombonist. It was melody jamming vs rhythm. Personally I thought rhythm won, but that's just me

[@chasesanborn]

Your description is an apt analogy to learning a language 'by ear'.

[@thelastwildcolonialboy3667]

@@chasesanborn I remember learning my first Dixieland jazz song by ear, it had a diminished chord in it and an unconventional chromatic chord run. I remember it took me days to piece together. I must have listened to the tape 100 times. I didn't even know what a diminished chord was! I kept thinking "is this right? This is the weirdest sounding chord ever!". Turns out my ear was right!

[@chasesanborn]

Here's a video on the diminished chord (which you may be referring to): kzbin.info/www/bejne/jl7WcnmAbaxpsJI

[@michelolivier5165]

Wow...i just learned a lot of great techniques.

[@chasesanborn]

I love to hear that. Thanks for saying so!

[@meikeebrandt]

I would really like to have your book. But the shipping cost is the more than the book himself :( Pleas PDF file! 😢

[@chasesanborn]

From the website: IS IT AVAILABLE IN PDF? This question is asked often, especially by international customers for whom shipping represents a substantial cost. From an author's viewpoint, eliminating the printing, stocking and shipping would save a lot of time and money while reducing costs for readers. Still, I have resisted publishing digitally, and here's why: One-time reads, e.g., a novel, magazine or newspaper, are very effective in digital format. I feel that reference books that may be used repeatedly for years are more effective in print form, that you'll reach for a printed copy of a book on your shelf more often than you will a digital file hidden on your hard drive, and that you're better able to grasp the overall expanse of a book by thumbing through it and opening to individual pages. I feel like I can make a connection with a reader better with a printed book (signed and shipped by the author, just sayin'...) than with a digital file transmitted anonymously. For perspective: The price of a book, even with international shipping, is less than the cost of a one-hour private lesson. Perhaps making the investment to get the book into your hands will incline you to make full use of it. More use = greater value. Finally, there are quite a few videos on KZbin which are of course free for everyone. Purchasing a book can be seen as a way to support the channel. Not everyone will agree with my reasoning, but now you have it.