Here’s something from Chuck Sher to add to your practice ideas. As he suggests, you’re clearly not going to do this with every tune you come across, but he offers some pretty good suggestions on how to make a tune your own. Some of this may beyond your comfort zone (I know it is mine 
), but I think that trying to apply these various steps should give us a few things that might be useful. Have fun. 
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Another great find Scott! - reading it now ! Thank you!