In this lesson , we are going to learn how to improvise solo over ‘All of me’.
There are many chords in this song so it’s quite nice and easy to improvise. When it’s 3-4 chords like Minor swing , it’s quite difficult to improvise long time, but not this one. Maybe that’s why this is one of my favorite songs.
In this lesson, let’s improvise melody . try to play melody and improvised melody.
Ok, let’s start!
Rhythm Guitar – chords
Intro is actually 1-6-2-5 turn around with substitutions.
(Not sure about 1-6-2-5 meaning? try this lesson then! Must know diatonic chords)
Basically 1-6-2-5 in this key is C-Am-Dm7-G7 but I used C-A7-Dm7-G7 because chord progressions in this song is like this. Then ,I used substitutions like this. C→Em7 , A7→Eb7#9 , G7→Db7#9.
Why like this ? When you hear the note in the chords then you will understand.
Notes in a C is C E G and Notes in a Em7 is E G B D (almost same)
Notes in a A7b5 is A C# Eb G and Notes in a Eb7#9 is C# Eb G F#.
Notes in a G7b5 is G B Db F and notes in a Eb7#9 is B Db F E.
But you can just remember like this. It’s way easier !!
G7→you can play Db7#9
A7→you can play Eb7#9
B7→you can play F7#9
C7→you can play Gb7#9…..
Also there is a lesson ‘improvisation rhythm guitar over all of me’
Solo Guitar
Mostly I used arpeggios and some typical gypsy jazz licks. You can make your own solo like this.
for the beginners ,Tip to practice improvisation is that you play melody then add arpeggios , play melody then add arpeggios …
In the gypsy jazz style of solo, arpeggios are very important to practice , of course scales too.
Example of improvisation
Here’s another example. Tempo is 85BPM so it’s quite easy to learn. If you like some licks , then add them in your own solo!
You can use this page ‘Play-Along’ to practice improvisation!