Jazz theory of improvising over melody, chords and structure.
Some improv styles may combine elements of all three areas
Improvise on the Melody
Paraphrasing
Adding to the Melody
Changing the Rhythmic content
Ornamenting or Embellishing
Improvising on the Harmony
Harmonic Generalization
Tonic Triad
Diatonic
Major Blues Scale
Minor Blues Scale
Cliches & Quotes
Harmonically Specific
Arpeggios (1-3-5-7 & 3-5-7-9)
Scales (tone center, chord)
Guide Tones (3rds & 7ths)
Chordal Alternatives
Motivic Development (from melody or newly formed)
Repetition
Transpose
Mode Change
Fragment
Add to (start, middle, end)
Sequence
Embellish or Ornament
Augmentation (pitch, rhythmic)
Diminution (pitch, rhythmic)
Invert (upside down)
Retrograde (backwards)
Retrograde inversion (upside down & backwards)
Displacement (pitch, rhythmic)
: Piano Lessons in Berkeley CA