Where does guitar improvisation come from?

[Bookkeeper's Son]

I don't know about origins, history, theory, etc., but I do know one thing - a LOT of guitar "improvisation" is mostly comprised of popular, common and highly recycled licks.

[R_of_G]

I don't know about origins, history, theory, etc., but I do know one thing - a LOT of guitar "improvisation" is mostly comprised of popular, common and highly recycled licks.

Perhaps therein lies the difference between improv and jamming/soloing?

[rcwilk]

I don't know about origins, history, theory, etc., but I do know one thing - a LOT of guitar "improvisation" is mostly comprised of popular, common and highly recycled licks.

Hey that might make a fun song based on Wonderful World

Don't know much about im-prov-i-sation
Playin chords or song im-i-tation ...
Don't know much about tabs and notes,
Don't know much about songs Dylan wrote.

But what I do know is I love to play
This old guitar and the songs it say
Nothing to fret about now all day.