Improvisation: Letting The Music Play You

Musicians have described improvisation in so many ways and it often seems very difficult to really put a finger on the process and get the point across to someone who is new at it. It's been said improvisation is making something out of nothing, and within that statement are multiple varying degrees. It seems so mysterious. One could say it's spiritual. Emotion plays an enormous part in the process in fact emotion/expression is the goal however, I believe in a more scientific explanation. With much thought on the subject I truly believe I've come to a rational conclusion of what improvisation could be.

First off, I do not believe we are making something out of nothing. Whether you play something on a technical level being able to name it, or by just doing it on a more subconscious level, there is no doubt you are drawing ideas from somewhere and we understand what we are doing in some manner.

So let's start with some basic ideas. I always like to use the comparison to language because music is a language. Our verbal language is one we are introduced to at birth. We spend much of our childhood, even into adulthood learning our native language. In the process we develop an extensive vocabulary, meanings of words, how to structure ideas, create sentences, nuance and so on. At some point we become able to communicate in a very easy, natural way. We arrive at a point where we react to a situation, formulate an idea, and then put our idea forth instantaneously. So what does this tell us about the process of music which also is a language?

We must first develop a vocabulary. We start with basic ideas, mostly with the musical vocabulary that is already in place around us. As time goes by we become comfortable with the basic musical language. Now remember, music is a language that is for "hearing" so it can be understood intellectually by sound recognition. It does not need to be read, or written, just understood on some level. Of course it is also a plus to understand it theoretically, or written. It really becomes interesting when you develop the existing musical language adding your own nuance, or even creating something never before heard. This is where the creativity lies. You are a poet of sounds so to speak. This is where you put your fingerprint on the music. It is your essence. This is when your whole life experience comes into play. Your life experiences should enter into what you "sound" like. This is the emotional tie to the music because no one can be just like you.

The next question is when you have developed your vocabulary, well, what do you do with it? You react, just as when you're speaking to someone. The musical situation pulls your own very personal reaction/opinion from what is going on. In other words - letting the music play you! When you speak you don't say to yourself, hmmm... I'll use this verb here and that noun there - you just do it. This is the level we want to achieve in improvisation, to be able to react naturally and say something coherent and in context. Let me state it only needs to be coherent to you. Many time's complex ideas are put off by others as being "bad" because someone who doesn't understand it may say it's not melodic or something of that nature. Do not fall into that trap. Develop yourself as much as possible. It seems many musicians struggle with improvisation because they say, well, I'll put this lick here, or that rhythm there. It should be innate. Once you understand the concept you are free to go off and explore and interpret "freedom" in your own unique way.

I suggest attaining as large a vocabulary as possible and constantly try to find ways to expand on the patterns you've learned. I think one major way to do so is to learn very small phrases. Most phrases are just a group of things you have played in some fashion but reworked, twisted, manipulated. Get down to the DNA of your musical language and you'll find the secrets to infinite creativity.