How to Sound Good When You Don't Know the Changes

[@RodGoelz]

At last, rhythm centered learning

[@irajames8113]

Great video, Jeff! A overlooked concept of learning to improvise over a tune, while still learning the changes. Makes great sense. As you explain it, it' multiple steps and layers builds a rhymic foundation as you become more and more knowledgeable about the harmony and chord changes. I could even say one could start to flesh out where the chord tones would land at the end of phrases, then work backwards adding other chord tones, approach notes, etc. Good stuff; thank you!!

[@markmarsden9459]

At least you got up and played. Not playing (as I might previously have done) would have been more of a failure and you’ve learnt this to share with us!

[@NelsonMontana1234]

All good advice. I'd add something that perhaps comes from the fact that I play bass, which is obviously note as clear of can played as quickly as a sax. One word -- MELODY. And it doesn't have to be complex -- at all! It can be three notes. It can be slow. As long as you're melodic you can't go wrong. Then, when you "know where you are" within the changes, you can throw in some flash. That's essentially another take on your post n of playing "outside and inside." It's basically, playing slow enough to let the listener catch the phrase and then fast enough where they're surprised. And back and forth. Just make sure you finish diatonically. LOL. Hey, it works.

[@byleew]

Learned so much from your last video's! Good work! Thanks!👍🙏

[@robstevens9590]

Helpful tips! Also, if I don't know the chord changes, but I know the melody that helps when soloing.

[@dddavros]

Brilliant! Thanks Jeff.

[@Laura-wg5jk]

This video really helped me today in my practice. Working on Someday My Prince will come. I am a beginning improviser and I kept reminding myself of your mantra of keeping good (waltz) rhythm and making decent phrases using the notes that come out. It is sounding a lot better.

[@halloola3636]

Yeah, finally a method I´ve already used and taught!

[@klavierunterricht-bergstra2187]

very good lesson, Thank you, greetings from Germany

[@martinhoff2762]

Great video. Makes so much sense. I might add that you do need to figure out the key you are in and maybe more important, be able to identify the form of the tune. So many times I have heard improvisors who clearly did not know the tune stop their solo in the middle of the tune or worse, play way to many choruses because they didn't know how to get out.

[@TS-so2xi]

This was a good video!

[@mhathungodyuoify]

This is hidden information, very informative!!

[@daveyewart4289]

I did this at a jazz club in Vietnam, they called softly as the mornings sunrise I didn't know it , the waiter lent me his trumpet. I went for it. It's on you tube

[@doro22000]

You're a genius. Such great videos! You should ask money for it

[@TaiChiBeMe]

good ideas!

[@michaelekwulugo8659]

Awesome lesson, what Ep sound are you using? Is that Keyscape?

[@bradking1536]

Thank you Jeff 🎉 Awesome video 🎉 Hope you are well God loves you deeply shalom 🤗🐼♥️✝️💐 Philippians 4:8

[@netowgtz]

But if you are playing piano, and you are soloing, you need to add chords into your playing, right?🤔 or is it the same rhythm first principle?

[@mjazzguitar]

If the band asks a keyboard player to come up and play, shouldn't they agree on the tune first? Or any musician, for that matter.

[@damali.]

Why are the ads so inappropriate to what your content is about? 😮 I almost skipped your video.

[@halloola3636]

Get an add-blocker!

[@guillll]

Use Brave and you'll never see an ad again.

[@live2groove]

If you can't say it - you can't play it.