Jazz Improvisation - Phrasing

Phrasing

Phrasing is a very important part of Jazz players set of improvisational skills. Instead of just playing a collection of notes that would work based on the chords, harmony, etc., the player builds an idea. The player makes a melody. Alto saxophonist, Charlie Parker, who is considered to be an exemplar of Jazz improvisation, played special attention to the beginning and ending of his solos where he placed signature patterns that he developed over the years. The middle part of his solos used more extemporaneous material that was created in the moment. This clearly shows a developed style of musical phrasing where the shape of the melody has a logical conclusion. With his strong beginning, Parker was free to create solos that superbly demonstrated musical phrasing, and led the listener to a logical and memorable conclusion. Great examples of this are found in classical music. In Beethoven's fifth symphony the first idea is played and then again with a slight variation.