In this post I am going to share the concept of “extension”, approach to soloing I learned from jazz trombonist and composer Hal Crook. I believe that this method is a powerful technique that anybody can easily use in the effort learning how to solo in a more organized and consequential way.

If you read my previous post, you are already familiar with the way I practice “imitation”. Briefly, imitation is the repetition of the same melodic curve and rhythmic idea throughout a given number of bars. In this context, extension is meant to generate more interest in the lines you are playing Incorporating a new idea to your previous line.

For example, if your line is A, B, C, D, the extended idea could be A, B, C, D, E, F, “E, F” being the extended segment. This new segment can even be added before the old line i.e., E, F, A, B, C, D.

So, how can you practice extension?

Here’s a very simple method:

1. Choose an accompaniment (metronome, sequencer etc…)

2. Choose an easy harmonic setting (one single chord, a II V I progression, your favorite tune)

3. Play a simple line (4-5 notes) and repeat its melodic curve with the same rhythm 2-3 times

4. Rest for a couple of bars

5. Repeat the same idea AND add a new (extended) line to it.

6. Rest

7. Repeat the whole process practicing for about 1 hour

8. Practice also adding the extended line BEFORE the old line.

Relax, get a cup of coffee, then go back to your guitar and play the same progression just for the fun of it.

Have you ever been asking yourself: “How can I improve my solos building up ideas in a more, thematic way?”

Some people like to talk the “call and response” technique but, in my experience, little or no time is spent on how to practically teach your brain to do that step by step.

So here there are 3 main techniques you can use to develop your solos thematically:

1) Imitation
2) Extension
3) Fragmentation

In this short article, I’ll introduce the concept of imitation.

Step 1: Choosea very simple rhythmic and harmonic setting (e.g., 4/4 , G7)

Step 2: Choose a very short melody (3-4 notes) and play it over and over.

Step 3: Create a variation of the original melody using the same rhythm and melodic curve (if you don’t know what a melodic curve is, just write the notes of your melody down and then join them. You’ll immediately see what your curve is).

Step 4: Play the new melody 4 times, then play a new set of notes (still same melodic curve)

Step 5: Now choose a chord progression (e.g., II V I or an easy standard) and practice imitation throughout the harmonic progression. You can play the same set of notes thoughout or decide to change notes in different areas of the tune (e.g., AABA)

There you have 5 easy steps to start working on your thematic soloing. In my next post I’ll introduce the concept of “Extension”.