Q: is transcribing/learning keyboard solos from songs i enjoy a good way to improve my improvisation skills?
A: it almost seems like it would be. and i did that a lot when i was younger. it was a neat exercise and it expanded my mind slightly, but it does not feel like it was particularly helpful for my improv. because, the mental process that i'm going through while playing scripted material is completely different from what the original improviser was experiencing. However, it does seem to perhaps give a sneak preview of some of the things that may be possible later when you actually learn to set yourself free like they have. something to look forward to