I've played clarinet for 6 years and have been brough up as a classical player rather than jazz. I have played alto saxophone for a year now and play in a big band. Most of the players are very experienced and can improvise to their hearts content.

Does anyone have any pointers or tips about learning to improvise?

Thanks.
Stace

I only did my first jazz exam earlier this year (grade 3 jazz clarinet), so I'm not an expert. What I did for the improvising, is take rhythm patterns and change the notes, or note sequences and change the rhythms. I generally used notes from the key the piece was in because I was only doing lower standard improvising, but depending on what it is you're improvising for, you can probably use some accidentals to make it sound more 'jazzy' and free.

Thanks. I play in a big band and they keep asking me to improvise my I can't. I was just looking for tips as a starter. Thanks very much


Stace

Listen, listen and listen some more. Jazz musicians are jazz fans and also eternal jazz students themselves. Find yourself a favourite player and try to mimick his/her sound and managable bits of their style.

Might I suggest Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Johnny Hodges, Alan Barnes, Dave Sanborn, Eric Marienthal, Phil Woods (it's him playing the solo on Billy Joel's 'Don't Go Changing').