Jazz improvisation theory from melody, harmony & motive.

Methods of Jazz Improvisation

Ways of Improvising • How to Improvise

Improvise on the Melody
- Paraphrasing
- Add to (start, middle, end)
- Changing the Rhythmic content
- Ornamenting or Embellishing
Improvise on the Harmony
- Harmonic Generalization
  - Tonic Triad
  - Diatonic
  - Major Blues Scale
  - Minor Blues Scale
  - Cliches & Quotes
- Harmonically Specific
  - Arpeggios (1-3-5-7 & 3-5-7-9)
  - Scales (tone center, chord)
  - Guide Tones (3rds & 7ths)
  - Chordal Alternatives
Motivic Development (from melody or newly formed)
- Repetition
- Transpose
- Mode Change
- Fragment
- Add to (start, middle, end)
- Sequence
- Embellish or Ornament
- Augmentation (pitch, rhythmic)
- Diminution (pitch, rhythmic)
- Invert (upside down)
- Retrograde (backwards)
- Retrograde inversion (upside down & backwards)
- Displacement (pitch, rhythmic)

Seasoned Jazz musicians combine various improvisation techniques to create new works, inspired by the original melody, harmony and structure. The true value of this music lies in an artist's individual creativity and that unique process of expression which is Jazz.