Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

Question of the Month: Deep Thoughts on Improvising

Question of the Month: Deep Thoughts on Improvising

John Osborne

Photo by Katie Kauss

For this month’s question, guest picker John Osborne, PG staff, and reader K. Spurgeon share their musings on their approaches to improvisation.

Question: What’s your personal philosophy around improvisation?


Guest Picker John Osborne

Pioneering psychedelic rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix.

A: If music is a conversation and the song is the subject matter, then solos are the stories. Some stories require bravado and bombastic detail. Some stories need dramatic pauses. Either way, the story has got to be interesting, contextual, and add to the conversation. Nothing is worse than ruining a good conversation. When telling a story, there is a beginning, an arc, and a punchline. Improvising should be no different.

Melissa DeGood Magazine Production Coordinator

A: My take on improvisation is that it’s all about going with the flow and letting creativity run wild. I’m all about being spontaneous and tuning in to what’s happening around me. It’s like a jam session, where you trust your gut, and keep your ears wide open. Mistakes? They’re just part of the ride, helping you learn and grow. In the end, improvisation is about keeping it real and having a blast, whether it’s in music, art, life, or tackling everyday challenges.

Jason Shadrick Associate Editor

A: There might not be a more difficult feat in music than to create something in the moment that connects with the audience. One of the biggest myths in music is that improvisation is only for jazzers. While they might be the biggest advocates of instant composition, you don’t need to shred bebop to participate. Here’s a hands-on exercise: Each morning record yourself playing for a minute. It could be anything. Try something new. After a month, collect the snippets and listen. Maybe there’s a song, maybe there’s not. But creating music as a therapeutic ritual will undoubtedly help you as a musician.

K. Spurgeon Reader of the Month

The inimitable bebop saxophonist Charlie Parker.

Photo by William P. Gottlieb

A: “Philosophy” is a term I don’t apply to my playing: too grand. But from the most abstract level, I try to be open to referencing any music I’ve heard in my life: genres, moods, styles, eras. Ideally, I want to sensibly put a bit of any of the musical ideas I like into my playing, but not necessarily by quoting. Though I remember hearing Charlie Parker quote the opening phrase of the Woody Woodpecker theme in the middle of a typically ingenious, otherworldly solo. That example is a bit on the nose, but basically: play absolutely anything as long as it’s music.

Brent Mason is, of course, on of the most recorded guitarists in history, who helped define the sound of most ’90s country superstars. So, whether you know it or not, you’ve likely heard Mason’s playing.

Read MoreShow less

For the first time ever, two guitar greats, John 5 and Richie Kotzen will be heading out on the road this year. The tour will launch October 16 and run through November, hitting markets across the U.S.

Read MoreShow less

AEROSMITH guitarist and songwriter JOE PERRY is set to return to the road for a series of August performances with THE JOE PERRY PROJECT. The 8-date run kicks off August 13 in Tampa, FL and wraps August 23 in Port Chester, New York, with an August 19 performance in PERRY’s Boston hometown (see the itinerary below). For the North American trek—which marks the first solo shows for PERRY this year—the legendary guitarist will be joined by his Aerosmith bandmates Brad Whitford (guitar) and Buck Johnson (keys), along with The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson (vocals), and Stone Temple Pilots’ Robert DeLeo (bass), and Eric Kretz (drums).

Read MoreShow less

A sample page from the author’s analog log.

Seasonal changes are tough on your acoustic. Here’s how you can take better care of your prized instrument.

Read MoreShow less