Space (phrasing) - Discussed, Part 2

The musicians you're playing with also want you to use more space than you're usually willing to give. Improvising with no space is a one-way conversation... you might as well just play to a jam track on stage. Leaving space gives the band the opportunity to help lead you to chord change and play supportive licks/fills that add excitement to what you're doing. Leaving space, and playing longer-held notes, also gives you the opportunely to hear more of what the band is playing. When a cool lick is played by one of the members of the band, you can work off of that idea, truly making a conversation with the other musicians.