1. By Jason Roth

2. Melodic tools
• Improvisation takes more than just
creativity, it takes structure
• Create a story
• Know various licks!
• Motifs can be made from licks
• Motifs will help listeners understand the
story you are trying to tell
• Tunes are structured using motifs

3. Motifs
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Example from melody of a tune
Miles Davis: Relaxin with Miles
If I Were a Bell, by Frank Loesser
Phrase
Slightly varied
How to learn!

4. Licks!
• Here is a lick
• The lick is very simple
• The lick highlights a cmaj chord
• Resolves on root

5. Licks (continued)
• Constructed by resolving on chord tones

6. Licks (continued)
• Some licks can resolve on tensions
• These are harder to master
• If a lick sounds good, then it
sounds good!

7. Practicing licks
Licks should be proficient in all keys
Take time to play hard keys slow
Play backwards
Be creative!
Licks can also be useful for fast lines!

8. Three Rs
• Repertoire
• Repetition
• Relaxing

9. Final notes
• Improvising gets messy when one plays too
many notes
• Motifs should help one play less to express
more
• Listeners will be able to sing along and
PARTICIPATE