16.26Guide-tone lines

Instead of thinking chord-by-chord, create a line through the whole progression.

Example:

C → B → B

over:

Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7

or:

F → F → E

These are guide-tone lines.

Now embellish them.

Base line:

F → F → E

Decoration:

F-G-A-F | F-E♭-E

Your improvisation grows from voice leading.