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USM JAZZ Times
N O. 1 ( VO L . 1 ) D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 9
APPRECIATING JAZZ
On Improvisation
by Razif Mohd.
“How great musicians demonstrate a mutual respect and trust on the bandstand can alter your
outlook on the world and enrich every aspect of your life, understanding what it means to be a global
citizen in the most modern sense." - Wynton Marsalis
One of the most exciting musical elements It is also very crucial for all musicians
in music-making is improvisation. In jazz, it involved to share the same aspiration or
is the culmination point where the skills and passion to achieve rewarding results. With a
mastery of the performer shines. To begin lot of practices, listening, appreciating peers
with, the art of jazz improvisation can be and receiving encouragement from others,
very intimidating for many young musicians. any learners can acquire a reasonable
The Editorial Board: Actually many great composers are in fact
brilliant improvisers.
standard of musical achievement.
Editor: Fatin Osman There are many method books and CDs on
Asst. Editor: Carmen Ng Generally, to qualify as a fine improviser, the jazz improvisation. Purchase one or two and
Secretary: Cheow Pea Pea music played has to be spontaneous and digest them well. One of the best way to
Design & Printing: Fatin Osman improvisational, better still if it is performed learn improvisation is by using a musical
Alice Teh ‘live’. In fact this activity is something we do canvas known as BLUES. The framework is
without giving much thought to what we do. only about 12 bars in length - the harmony
Dorothy Ma
It is safe to say that if you want to initiate at can be repeated as much as one desire. Play
Treasurer: Wong Zhen Yao improvising jazz you need to be involved in around the blue notes and chord notes with
Photography: Andy Siti Nurhidayah the art of music making which provide you a swing rhythm. Yes, only by plunging into it
Zamri Salleh the platform to improvise - where one is able that we make discoveries.
Goh Foong Jing to put one’s improvisational ideas into
Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Razif Mohd. practice. Ray Charles was forced to improvise on an
idea to complete his performing session and
Very often many younger players do not he ended up with a song that became a hit.
Supported by: have this platform for recreational and
artistic practice. One way is to create a circle
That song was titled as “What I’d say!”
Assoc. Prof. Razif Mohd.
of musicians with similar interest to practice Vive la musique!
Anni Tan Soon Chin
improvisation. Jazz musician spend a lot of
Anonymous Emma Dalyna Razif Mohd.
their experimental time on jamming.
Azizul Hakim Fatin Osman Associate Professor of Music,
Having a “jam session” benefits in many
Azlan Ishak Laila Syahriza Conductor & Arranger USM Jazz Band,
folds: 1) active musical interaction; 2) self Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Eliza Maria Noora Shukor
confidence; and 3) promotes camaraderies.