What is Jazz?

[Mat]

Hi Steve,

It is my view that in live or studio jazz no such thing as 100% improvisation is ever likely to occur.

Not sure if I understood you right, John, but what about jam sessions? You just say to your band mates that now we're playing Fly Me To The Moon in the key of Eb and you start playing. If you happen to know the people you're playing with well, you might just end up creating something beautiful. No rehearsals needed.

My two cents worth...

 

[JHC]

Not sure if I understood you right, John, but what about jam sessions? You just say to your band mates that now we're playing Fly Me To The Moon in the key of Eb and you start playing. If you happen to know the people you're playing with well, you might just end up creating something beautiful. No rehearsals needed.

My two cents worth...

If I may add: at jazz clubs it is (or was) very common for musicians in the audience to "get upon the mound and swing" as Louis used to say.

 

[OLDUDE]

Hi Mat and Colin,
OK I know about Jam sessions but I stick by my comment that "imprompto phrasing already in the musicians repertoire plays a big part in any co called improvisation.
The better the jam sounds the more likely this is to apply. (Some such jams are can be fearful to behold and listen to).
My get out clause was " 100% improvisation"

Cheers John

 

[JHC]

Hi Mat and Colin,
OK I know about Jam sessions but I stick by my comment that "imprompto phrasing already in the musicians repertoire plays a big part in any co called improvisation.

John, of course it does, so does a knowledge of scales, chords, arpeggios etc etc it is the musicians basic language, liken it to speaking a language without the basics of grammar,

The better the jam sounds the more likely this is to apply. (Some such jams are can be fearful to behold and listen to).

An interesting point is that we enjoy music if we can anticipate what is to come next, even just roughly not note for note

My get out clause was " 100% improvisation"

Cheers John

100% improvisation would result in 100% random sound/noise and be terrible to behold as in “free form jazz” lol not wishing to offend free jazz freaks