How to Improvise off a Standard's Melody

If you are fairly new at jazz improvisation and you gradually want to get your feet wet before getting into bebop, in this lesson I am going to share with you two valuable steps that will enable you to improvise a simple, yet nice solo using a standards main melody as the starting point.
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Misty Chord Melody in 3 Levels: • Misty - Chord Melody i...
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[@erikhenchal2088]

Wow. This is the best description of how to develop an improv. Thanks.

[@MorningCarnival]

This answers a question I had only a few moment ago. Now answered. As a beginner I actually understood it!

[@exapplerrelppaxe7952]

You're actually taking improvisation apart and showing us the compositional principles. Splendid lesson. Nos vemos.

[@RichieZellon]

Gracias! Improvisation is definitely a form of composition...

[@tenbroeck1958]

Nice - This might be one of the seemingly simple, but most important lessons. Awesome

[@tangobayus]

Logical and thorough. I appreciate that he's not just playing scales as so many do.

[@juangloriosacatubay1097]

Super useful lesson. Jazz improvs makes more sense to me now. Thank you.

[@richardblair5723]

Excellent explanation of the building blocks to improvising. I have read and watched tons of videos and nothing comes anywhere close to this. A million thanks.

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks Richard...glad to be of help!

[@danielkamen6035]

I'm learning jazz piano and this is a wonderful explanation of improv that I can use on the piano.

[@randolphcohen6522]

You’ve revealed the behind the curtain secret to beginning the spontaneous improvisation process! Great video Richie! I think one of your best ever.

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks...much appreciated!

[@dave9497]

Thank you so very much...

[@bossanovaboy]

A very logically structured and useful lesson. I like it! At least you could start with this to have a foundation and then continue with scales and arpeggios the way you like it.

[@robertgreen3702]

Thank you. A splendid lesson!!

[@williamcobbs3606]

That was great, thank you so much, have a great day.

[@takeawaybenji]

This is a really great lesson!

[@lindsayblack766]

Thanks again for another great video Richie!!

[@phuxmusic7538]

Amazing starting point - thank you for that and all your other great videos!

[@jamescopeland5358]

Richie, I wish I had started so many years ago with jazz instead of waiting until I was almost 60. You have answered so many questions that I have had about it. Thx for these lessons they have made the old man study.

[@melihalgan]

You are not the only one around sixty here!

[@jamescopeland5358]

@@melihalgan I'm closer to 70 than 60 now though. At 67 I'm still playing rocknroll

[@illysigelman1264]

I'm 18 (;

[@dave9497]

@@illysigelman1264 you are definitely in the right place...

[@rickjensen2717]

60 in 14 days time....still learning 👍✅

[@Deise.dcssss]

Fantastic! 👏🏾👏🏾

[@Bjazzzzzz12]

Great direction on what you need to start . Thanks Richie

[@joephillips4082]

Excellent, Richie. I've struggled with making good line from guide tones and you've unlocked them.

[@RichieZellon]

Glad to hear that!

[@utube9000]

A nice, relaxed lesson which yielded much information. I enjoyed this very much, thank you!

[@itzstreaming9873]

Great video 👍!

[@TheColorofLight]

Great video!

[@critical9999]

This is really a golden lesson

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[@joaopauloborras]

It is a fantastic free lesson. Really appreciate your willing to share this level of teaching with us.
Thanks a lot.

[@RichieZellon]

My pleasure...enjoy!

[@emirroden]

It's so beneficial for me. Thank you Mr. Zellon.

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks Emir, glad to be of help!

[@BillWardWesternLights]

Great video Richie! As one currently enrolled in volume 1 of your BeBop course I highly recommend it. This lesson was very understandable and helpful in large part to what I have learned so far in volume 1! 😊🎶

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks Bill!!

[@BillWardWesternLights]

You are welcome Richie!

[@patrickpentulip3951]

Very useful. Many thanks.

[@RichieZellon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DaikiGuitar]

I really liked your Bebop Guitar Improv Vol.1, great

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks Daiki!

[@clarkewi]

Awesome

[@salvadorgarcia8661]

Muy instructiva la lección, he aprendido cosas en pocos minutos. Muchas gracias maestro.

[@RichieZellon]

Me alegra...gracias Salvador!

[@Jymagel]

Que gran maestro sos

[@RichieZellon]

Gracias!

[@user-gd3tl8zn9g]

awosome leasson

[@JSDJerry]

I may have re-watched this, but it is still beautifully explained and demonstrated. I call your guide tomes “strong melody notes.” Am I wrong?

[@guitariste47]

nice vid, very well explained; I didn't find the link about the bebop series books

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks, it's bebopguitar.richiezellon.com

[@markr8326]

Thanks for the lesson Richie. Been searching for advice on this for YEARS literally(that's what happens when you try & teach yourself) Is there a PDF that goes with this lesson, the screen notation is great ,just checking anyway ?

[@RichieZellon]

Yes, there is a free PDF download. Just register at jazzguitar.richiezellon.com to download.

[@sclogse1]

Rich, all the world is green today.

[@RichieZellon]

YES!!!

[@williamphillips5443]

Great lesson. How can I get the tab to this lesson? I learn much better if I can slowly review it on tab

[@RichieZellon]

jazzguitar.richiezellon.com/jazz-improvisation/how-to-improvise-off-a-standards-melody

[@juangloriosacatubay1097]

Super useful lesson. Jazz improvs makes more sense to me now. Thank you.

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks Juan, glad it was helpful!

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks Juan, glad it was helpful!