Learning to do solo improvisations

[jonjelfs]

I have been learning jazz piano about 2 years but one of the 'ceilings' I experience is when trying to do solo improvisations. For example, at the moment I am working on 'On a Clear Day' in G and have worked out quite a nice block chord arrangement following the melody but now want to improvise solo's. I am thinking it would be good to practice 'vertical' soloing using chord extensions. At the moment it seems very 'clunky' - some phrases sound OK (eg following some from Oscar Petersen's version or the Nicola Sabato version) but it all sounds quite disjointed.

Here's the question - how would you suggest practicing soloing in general, and in this instance the 'vertical' form using chord extensions, to become fluent and to let it flow?

[wmyette]

Solo piano is -very- challenging. It is important to keep the rhythm and flow going while also trying to highlight the melody.

Now, you mention solo improvisation, which of course if just one part of the mix. You have the arrangement but now need to solo over the song, right?

First step: take the notes from your arrangement and try using them for improvisation. Here's the idea: the notes from the arrangement already sound good, so why not use them for improv as well?

Improvisation stems from chord tones, scales and available tensions. The melody and chords for the arrangement probably already make up at least half of the "right" notes that you are looking for.

So, my suggestion, play your arrangement as you conceived it.

Next, play it again and try rolling chords, or only playing shells, or play the root...hold the pedal...and pay the rest of the chord.

Point is: "mess around" with your arrangement first. There is a lot of great stuff already in there.

After you do this, try adding in your scales for the chords. Try using the Major scale on Major chords, minor scale on minor chords and a Major scale with a flatted 7th on Dominant chords.