(This post is part of an ongoing series about the importance of learning scales, which started with this post here: Why You Should Learn Your Scales)
Scales are at the heart of improvisation. Whether you're learning the blues (which I've posted an introduction to here), jazz, or any other style of music, you're going to need to know your scales if you want to improvise.
Why do we need scales for improvising? Well, the fact is that most music, including the chords and melody, is based on scales. This means that when a song is based on a particular scale, let's say C, then all of the C scale notes are typically going to sound the best in that song. A song based on an E minor scale wants E minor scale notes.
The more scales you know, the easier it is to improvise. But I'll give you some basic tips to get you started.
1) The root is king: The note the scale starts on tends to be the strongest. If a song is based on a G scale, the G note in the scale is the root, and will be the strongest sounding note in the song. When in doubt, stick to using the root a lot when improvising.
2) Keep it simple: Most people try to play way too much, way too often when improvising. Take your time and remember that music is an art form and art is about communication. Can anyone really hear what you're saying if you don't give them a moment to think about it? Put some space between your riffs and give your audience room to breathe.
3) Develop a vocabulary: As you improvise, watch and listen to what you're playing. If you like the sound of something that you do, remember it! You can always use again next time you improvise. In this way you can develop a vocabulary for improvising.
The ability to improvise is one that can always be sharpened and improved with time and mindful practice. Keep at it, pay attention, and don't get discouraged if it seems difficult. Keep going and it will get easier!
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