which of these two books to buy

Jazzaferri

There is that funny story about a pianist (ithink) who's name I cant remember who hit a real clam performing with Bird, who said I hear you man, with a look of delight on his face.

The only mistakes in jazz improv are the notes you play that you think are mistakes....the rest are just more outside.

Stringswinger

I have played a few gigs with Virtuoso jazz guitarist Mimi Fox. She once played a solo on one of our gigs that was so outside sounding that I suspect she either did not have all the changes down to the tune or she got lost in the form. After the set, I mentioned that her solo on that tune was way outside sounding. She smiled at me and said that these days, nothing sounds "outside" to her anymore. I have not gotten to that level yet. To me, a bad note is still a bad note....

Jazzaferri

Hahaha ....... so define a bad note...

Stringswinger

Any note can be used in passing, but a phrase should start and end on a chord tone or at a minimum some cool extension of the underlying chord such as a 9th. A competent jazz musician should be playing what he/she hears, not muscle memory licks or just random notes from a scale. Melody, groove and good note choices are what make a good solo. Playing pentatonic licks or just wiggling your fingers on the fretboard, that is just bullshit.

Jazzaferri

Wiggling fingers and in my case blowing is a bunch of fun and impresses the audience in small doses.

HOWEVER I never make the mistake of thinking of it as musical artistry.