The Art of Jazz Improvisaion

Cute Jazz Licks for Students and Performing Musicians

Improvisation vs Classics

The conceptual difference between classical and improvised music is that classical music is written on paper before it is played, making the musician an interpreter of the composer’s intentions. In contrast, the beauty of improvised music lies in the fact that it is created in real-time by the performer. Composing a piece of music with an indefinite amount of time versus composing on the spot are fundamentally different tasks that require substantially different approaches. It would be unreasonable to expect the same artistic value from a piece composed in a few seconds as from one that has been developed over weeks.

Improvisational music is usually based on a framework that helps the performer invent ideas in real time, rather than memorizing an entire piece. There are many approaches to improvisation, with differing opinions on which method is best. What truly matters, however, is that there should be some preparatory work to achieve great improvisation over a tune.

Jazz Licks

Jazz licks are short melodic ideas that can be selectively integrated into a solo to achieve a desired sound. The following quote by Charlie Parker is a great example of how beautifully a minor seventh chord can be enhanced with hidden voice leading.

This lick can be further varied depending on the musical setting to fit the material being played, for example, like this:

There may be several other variations of the same idea, reshaping the material to a preferred form and making it universally applicable to various playing scenarios. With this approach, one gains more freedom during performances while also maintaining individuality.

Content Quality

Showing a lick in a specific key and suggesting to transpose it to other keys makes a lot of sense from an educational standpoint, though it’s not always very convenient for the reader. It is much more user-friendly to present the material in all keys, allowing the reader to pick ideas for any instrument in any key, regardless of the setting.

And while the concept of compiling musical licks from renowned artists is not new, the limitations of print materials, both in terms of quality and quantity, hindered their effective utilization for building a comprehensive jazz vocabulary conducive to graceful improvisation. A significant shift occurred with the introduction of the internet, coupled with a project that amassed an extensive array of musical licks, made publicly available. While the project is commendable, the book elevates the content by refining it — carefully selecting the premier licks from the project and organizing them in a highly user-friendly manner.

The Treble Clef Book

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What sets this book apart is its thoughtful structure and user-friendly design. We've carefully curated the content to present you with the cream of the crop – a collection of jazz licks that not only inspire but also enhance your playing.

Look Inside

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The book contains a compilation of captivating jazz licks transcribed from numerious recordings for the most famous tunes. It is divided into chapters, with each chapter focused on a specific chord progression. Every page corresponds to one of the 12 keys, providing material suitable for any musical setting. Each page features seven jazz licks tailored for a tune in a specific key. Before each chapter, you'll find an inspiring quote like the one below.

The table of contents lists tunes along with chords, enhancing navigation. Ample margins and spine padding adjustments enhance the book's user-friendliness, ensuring ease of use and a comfortable reading experience.

Explore a variety of jazz licks crafted for different tunes in all 12 keys. Each key features a unique set of licks chosen for accuracy and distinctiveness. The layout is designed for easy reading, with each key presented on its own page. Seven licks per page provide a balance of variety and precision.

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