1.6 Improvisation – Extend
Creating blues melodies with the blues form harmonies is where it all starts. Below, are four 12 bar choruses of blues. Play the written examples with the band in the first 4 bars of each blues chorus. Then , continue to play the last 8 bars of each 12 bar blues chorus with the trumpet. Try to imitate what the trumpet plays.
Click and listen carefully as you play with the band and trumpet.
Choose your instrument below.
Fixed Rhythms
Making up melodies with fixed rhythms helps you develop and control your improvisation. Here are a few melodies with fixed rhythms for you to work with. After the trumpet plays each written blues melody, use the same rhythm to make up your own blues licks in the open measures. Use the minor blues scale as a reference.
Click and hear how this is done.
Now you try it!