THE OSWEGO HIGH SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM
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How to Practice Improvisation

Students often find it difficult to practice improvisation, mainly because they don't know where to start. Here are some helpful hints on getting better at this skill.

Scale Patterns
Everyone knows that practicing your scales is important, but if you only practice them up and down, you never really know the key center. Practice your scales in lots of different ways. 
For example, a normal scale is 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. How about trying it 123, 234, 345, etc.? Or, 1234, 2345, 3456, etc.? Also, practice your arpeggios, minor scales, etc. 

Drone Practicing
One way to start playing in key centers that are perhaps a little less familiar is to practice with a drone. Use an app like the Tonal Energy Tuner, an electric keyboard that will play a note without stopping, or something else similar. Play a note on the drone, and just start experimenting on your instrument over that pitch. When you get some ideas, incorporate a metronome along with it, and try ands solo with different styles, like swing, rock, etc.

Standards
Once you start getting some knowledge about scales and keys, it's time to start incorporating that knowledge into some tunes. Jazz standards are tunes that most jazz musicians know, and are great ways to start to learn the language. Using the button above will take you to a website with 50 great tunes to start with. Once you find a tune to start on, find a play-along to jam with...some ideas to use are YouTube (many people have posted play alongs for all of these tunes), IRealPro (an app that you can download on your phones), or Jamey Aebersold CD's (for those of you that still have a CD player). 

Oswego High School
4250 Rt. 71
Oswego, IL 60543

Kevin Schoenbach: 630-636-2050
[email protected]
Stephanie San Roman:    630-636-2049
                                            s[email protected]
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  • Home
  • Bands
    • Wind Symphony
    • Wind Ensemble
    • Symphonic Band/Symphonic Winds
    • Concert Band/Chamber Winds
    • Extra Curricular Groups >
      • Jazz Ensembles >
        • Jazz Ensemble 1
        • Orange Jazz 2/Blue Jazz 3 >
          • Jazz 2/3 Practice Recordings
        • Must Have Recordings
        • Guest Artists
        • Helpful Jazz Links and Videos
      • OHS Color Guard
      • Marching Band >
        • Parade and Pep Tunes
        • OHS Drumline/Pit
      • Pep Band >
        • Schedule
      • Tri-M Honors Society >
        • Active Tri-M Member Points
    • OHS Color Guard
    • Honors Band >
      • Project Rubrics
  • Calendar/Events
    • OHS Band Calendar
    • Crystals
    • Band Bandquet
    • Programs >
      • 2021-2022
      • 2019-2020
      • 2018-2019
      • 2017-2018
      • 2016-2017
      • 2015-2016
      • 2014-2015
      • 2013-2014
  • Communication
    • The Directors >
      • Stephanie San Roman
      • Kevin Schoenbach
    • Daily Schedule
    • Band Gear
    • Band Handbook
    • District 308 Sites
    • Music/Athletic Conflict Resolution Policy
  • Media
    • Facebook Live
    • Pictures >
      • 2023-2024
      • 2022-2023
      • 2021-2022
      • 2020-2021
      • 2019-2020
      • 2018-2019
      • 2017-2018
      • 2016-2017
      • 2015-2016
      • 2014-2015
      • 2013-2014
      • 2012-2013
      • 2011-2012
      • 2010-2011
      • 2009-2010
    • Videos >
      • 2023-2024
      • 2021-2022
      • 2020-2021
      • 2019-2020
      • 2018-2019
      • 2017-2018
      • 2016-2017
      • 2015-2016
      • 2014-2015
      • 2009-2010
    • Audio >
      • 2021-2022
      • 2019-2020
      • 2018-2019
      • 2017-2018
      • 2016-2017
      • 2015-2016
      • 2014-2015
      • 2013-2014
      • 2012-2013
      • 2011-2012
  • Why music?
    • Why Music?
    • The Effects of Music
    • Incoming Freshmen >
      • FAQ's
      • Repair and Maintenance >
        • Instrument Repair
      • How to Fit in Band
  • Resources
    • Private Teachers >
      • Melanie Mathew, flute
      • Cate Hummel, flute
      • Emily Fagan, oboe
      • Kim Richter, bassoon
      • Garrett Matlock, clarinet
      • Shawn Maxwell, woodwinds
      • Rich Moore, saxophone/clarinet
      • Kyle Miller, Trumpet
      • Susan Ozvath, french horn
      • Rachel Maxwell, french horn
      • Corey Sansolo, trombone
      • Helder Perez
      • Vern Spevak, percussion
      • Accompanists
    • Instrument Maintenance >
      • Brass
      • Clarinets and Saxes
      • Oboes and Bassoons
      • Percussion Sticks
    • Awards >
      • 2020-present Awards
      • 2010-2020
      • 2000-2009
      • 1990-1999
      • 1980-1989
      • 1970-1979
      • 1956-1969
    • Instrument Rental Form
    • Patron of the Arts >
      • Patrons Rubric
      • OHS Patrons Events
    • Band Boosters >
      • OHS Band Patron Program
      • Boosters Docs
    • For Parents >
      • Charms
      • SmartMusic
    • For Students >
      • Smartmusic
      • Apps
    • History of the OHS Bands
    • Percussion Stuff
  • Support Us
    • Amazon Smile
  • OHS Jazz Camp