Originally Posted by
ralph johansson
What I’m getting at is this bovine manure about “speed of composition”.
#50: “Working on an "alternate melody" in the practice room sets one up with a better chance at producing something as interesting, or more so, than the melody line.”
Such a remark reveals lack of understanding of improvisation, its possibilitiess and motives. It’s not about safety. For a better understanding I could refer to Barry Kernfeld’s article in the Grove Dictionary of Jazz, e.g. from the Introduction: “Improvisation is generally regarded as the principal element of jazz since it offers the possibilities of spontaneity, surprise, experiment, and discovery, without which most jazz would be devoid of interest …”
It’s hard to imagine that Grisman is ignorant of these values. Maybe he hopes to provoke reflection: why do you improvise or want to improvise? Because you’re supposed to? I repeat: Improvisation happens. It’s simply an urge you discover in yourself, leading you to develop certain skills, such as a good ear for harmony and rhythm. If you don’t have that desire, forget it. It can’t be taught.
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