The Entrepreneurial Savant

Improvisation is the basis of creativity. It usually means altering your viewpoint of what you already have to work with so that you can make others see it differently. It seldom means creating something from nothing.
The master improvisational artists of our time are jazz musicians. Saxophonist Warren Marsh spelled a simple formula for musical improvisation:
• Sing the melody in time
• Sing the roots of the chords in time
• Sing the 1 5 7 of the chords in time
• Improvise on the 1 5 7 of the chords
Those of us who are musicians will understand this and also understand that this simple formula for working around a melody opens up an enormous world of musical possibilities. The musician with talent and skill will make the most interesting and moving choices.
For the non-musicians I’ll offer an interpretation (improvised of course) of Mr. Marsh’s formula.:
• Learn the basics of what you have to work with; the roots
• Find those elements that are the foundations and eliminate everything else
• Take that foundation and improve upon it, polishing it to bring out the strengths
• Combine those shining strengths and go with where it takes you
Too esoteric? Try applying this process to something mundane you do that needs a change. You might find a refreshing tune under all that orchestration.

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