How to Learn Jazz Licks for Improvisation
Learning a jazz lick is like adding a new word to your musical vocabulary. Initially, just as when you learn a new word, it can feel awkward and forced to use in a conversation. Over time, as you get more comfortable, the word starts to flow naturally. The same applies when learning licks for improvisation in jazz—at first, it may sound awkward when you try to fit it into your solos, but with practice, it becomes part of your natural playing style.
1. Learning a Lick is Like Learning a Word
When you first learn a jazz lick, it might feel unfamiliar. Just like when you learn a new word in a language, you may struggle to place it naturally in a sentence. The first few times you use it, it might feel out of place or sound a bit forced. However, the more you practice and use that word, the more it becomes a natural part of your vocabulary. In improvisation, a jazz lick works the same way—it feels stiff and forced at first, but with consistent use, it will start to flow naturally.
2. Master the Lick in All 12 Keys
To truly internalize a lick and make it a flexible part of your improvisational vocabulary, you need to be able to play it comfortably in all 12 keys. This step is essential because jazz tunes often change keys, and being comfortable with a lick in any key will ensure that it comes out effortlessly, no matter what tune you’re playing. This practice also helps you understand the structure of the lick and its harmonic relationship to different keys.
- Exercise: Practice the lick slowly in each key, starting with one you’re comfortable with, then gradually move through all 12. Use a metronome to keep a steady tempo and focus on accuracy. Playing it in different keys helps you get comfortable with the physical movement of the notes and develops your muscle memory.
3. Practice Using the Lick in Context
Once you’ve learned the lick in all keys, the next step is to practice using it in a musical context. A great way to do this is to play along with a backing track of a jazz standard you’re familiar with. Select a spot in the tune where you want to use the lick and insert it there each time you play through the song.
- Exercise: Put on a backing track and choose a specific point in the song—say, at the start of the second chorus or after a particular chord change. Play the lick at that spot each time you pass through it, but improvise freely for the rest of the song. Over time, the lick will feel more natural, and you’ll start to see how it fits into the structure of the tune.
This exercise not only helps you place the lick more comfortably within a solo but also improves your ability to move in and out of set patterns, creating a balance between learned vocabulary and spontaneous improvisation.
4. Let the Lick Become Natural
As you continue practicing the lick in context, it will begin to flow more naturally. At first, it might feel rigid, but over time you’ll start to hear opportunities to use the lick in new places. You’ll also gain a better sense of how to modify it to fit different musical situations.
Final Thoughts
Learning a jazz lick is a process that requires repetition and patience. By practicing the lick in all 12 keys and applying it in a musical context, you’ll transform it from something that feels awkward and forced to a natural part of your improvisational toolkit. As with learning any new skill, the key is persistence and consistent practice.
