Improvising with Motivic Development
Motivic development is the compositional technique of creating a melody that is made up of a single melodic idea (a motive) that is subsequently "developed" by being repeated, altered, modified or transformed melodically and/or rhythmically. As a technique of improvisation, it can help you create strong, logical, coherent and interesting solos. Learn how to use this technique in your own improvisations by watching a motivic analysis of Keith Jarrett's solo over the Jaki Byard tune Chandra from his 1994 recording At the Deer Head Inn. Test your knowledge with the online quiz and get to work incorporating this skill into your playing by downloading the practice sessions and playalongs included with the lesson.

Lesson Stats
When added: 09/14/08; Duration: 19 minutes.

Prerequisites
Moderate keyboard proficiency. Ability to read notation. These lessons are good prerequisites: Improvisation: The Concept; Four Components of Melodic Construction; Any of the Improvising Over... lessons.

Quiz
Motivic Development Quiz.

Practice Sessions & Playalongs
Practice Session 1: Write out and play a solo using motivic development.
Practice Session 2: Improvise a solo using motivic development.

Playalongs for blues progressions in C and F are included in Band-in-a-Box, MIDI and Garageband formats.

Resources for further Listening and Reading
Check out these featured recordings.