Improvising. For me it's the most rewarding aspect of being a musician. Original music, arrived at in an instant and let go just as quickly is pure creativity. There's nothing else like it, it's heaps of fun and there's no reason that anyone can't do it.
I recall many years ago hosting a jazz workshop and being told, in all seriousness, that I could improvise because I was a musician and that was it, I was one of a select few with the 'gift'. At the time I couldn't believe my ears but I've since learned that this idea is a common one. It's true that some find it easier than others, but everyone has had to work at it.
And here's what they do first.
Technique
Your instrument can't tap into your brain and recreate the masterpieces that only you can hear. You need to know how to operate the thing. You don't have to be a virtuoso, you don't even need to play fast but no amount of creative genius will be of use to you if you can't make your instrument sing just a little.
Listen.
You'll need to learn to listen all over again and that too takes time and can involve years of training. For now just keep your ears open and listen closely to the sounds you make. If you're playing with others then listen even more closely to them. If it sounds good it works, figure out why it worked later.
Learn from the Masters
Before learning any formal listening exercises you can start by paying close attention to your favourite players. Find out who they were inspired by. Go back as far as you can and listen for similarities. Learn their favourite licks if you like, it'll help your ears more than anything else you'll ever do, but be prepared to move on and do your own thing, that's what they did.
Theory
Music theory is cool, scales are cool, learn it all but don't lean too heavily on it. It'll explain why the music you like works, it'll put your listening into a sharper perspective but it should NEVER inform your playing. Don't play stuff because it works in theory if you can't hear it working. Don't be surprised if you can't make great music simply by learning a bunch of scales.
Pay your dues
You need to practice and expect that results will only come slowly. Accept that you don't know it all and find an experienced, preferably qualified, teacher that can help you do your thing, not theirs.
What now?
So with all of that done you're just off the starting blocks but no closer to the finish line.
Improvising is a creative process sure, it's deeply personal but it needn't be a mystery. The music doesn't just appear out of nowhere because of an inherent genius or mystical gift. You learn to improvise by learning how to compose and there are ways to do it. Sorry folks but there ARE rules. Don't let them put you off, just learn them, break them if you like but learn them first.
And that's what the next newsletter will be about. For now start with these few tips, get your ears used to listening more closely so that the compositional tools have some meaning and aren't just more dry, boring old theory.