What is Improvisation?

Jazz, its precursors, and its derivatives feature improvisation. Improvisation is variation upon a musical theme that is invented while a musician performs, as opposed to having been composed prior to a live performance. Jazz improvisation may be based upon a melodic and/or a harmonic theme. Many jazz perfomers use a lead sheet that has the basic melody and harmony of a performance notated as a guide for their improvisations.

Reading Music Notation

Tonality

Melody

Harmony

Variation