Hey guys, I just started learning jazz and I wonder what we are supposed to do in the solo sections where there is a guiding notes. Must we really follow the guiding notes?
Thanks.

Quoting from the assessment part of the ABRSM "Jazz piano from scratch" pg 158

"You should use these as an initial basis for your improvising, though you may of course use others in addition or instead of those given. ..the guideline pitches given relate directly to the scale syllabus. ... a gradual increase in flexibility is expected as your skills develop, and the range of pitches given reflect this. Choice of pitches is expected also to become more discriminating and distinctive at the higher level. A relationship between melody and harmony is required only in the assessment criteria for Grade 4 and Grade 5."

The same seem to apply for the left hand guideline configurations

"They really are guideline figurations, however, and it is an important part of the preparation process for the assessment that more advanced candidates think of other ways of realising the chords too, based only on the given chord symbols, particularly beyond grade 3." pg 157

My teacher usually writes the scale that I can use above the soloing part - the chords are there too, but I'm not musically minded enough to be able to work out what notes I can use!!!