Solo Performance

• Conventional Approaches
• Unconventional Approaches
• Solo Performers

This is a preview of the educational program A Jazz Improvisation Almanac which is under development for the Outside Shore Music Online School. Feel free to browse this preview and learn what you can from it. For a more completed product, though, check out the original freely browsable jazz textbook, A Jazz Improvisation Primer.

Conventional Approaches

Solo performance offers a musician the most freedom, as he can improvise without concern for harmonizing or synchronizing with other musicians. At the same time, it is often the most challenging format because the performer is totally responsible for all aspects of the music. While unaccompanied solo performances have been given by players of all instruments, this is a particularly popular format for pianists and guitarists. This should not be surprising, as these instruments are the most well-suited for accompanying oneself. On the piano, as well as on other keyboard instruments such as organ and synthesizer, it is possible to provide melody, chordal, and bass function at the same time, and do so in a rhythmic manner:

The guitar is somewhat more limited; it is not as easy to provide all these functions at once. Guitarists playing in a solo context often alternate between playing melody and chords, melody and bass lines, or chords and bass, or just melody, or just chords:

For most other instruments, it is simply not possible to do more than one thing at a time, so solo performances tend not to have the same balance as a combo. Still, many horn players attempt to provide melody, chords, and a rhythmic pulse even in solo performance. A conventional approach is to concentrate on melody and try to imply the harmony and pulse:

Unconventional Approaches

Some solo performers may play music that is harmonically or rhythmically free, thus eliminating the need to worry about playing chords or establishing a consistent pulse. Instead, they may concentrate on other aspects of the music. Note that just because the music is rhythmically free, this does not mean there is no rhythm, just that there is no consistent pulse:

Often, free soloists emphasize timbral variety, and use a wide range of extended techniques to create contrast and interest:

Pianists and guitarists may play this type of music as well. While pianists cannot easily alter the tone of the piano - although they may pluck strings, among other tricks - they are able to create rich textures by taking advantage of the exceptionally wide range of the piano and the ability to play many notes at once:

Guitarists often take advantage of the electronics used to amplify their instruments, using these electronics to distort the sound and create a variety of other effects as well:

Percussionists also perform in solo settings occasionally. While it is not generally possible to play melody or harmony in a conventional fashion, a percussionist may use many different instruments in his performance to generate a surprisingly rich sound:

Solo Performers

Some musicians who are especially known for their unaccompanied performances include:

• Pianists
  • Art Tatum
  • Thelonious Monk
  • Abdullah Ibrahim
  • Keith Jarrett
  • Cecil Taylor
• Guitarist Joe Pass
• Saxophonists
  • Coleman Hawkins
  • Sonny Rollins
  • Anthony Braxton
  • Evan Parker
• Percussionist Max Roach

Copyright 2000 Outside Shore Music
Authored by Marc Sabatella

Solo Performance