[Dixielandjazz] Improvising 101

[Allan Brown]

Dear Mart,

That's great advice too, thank you. 

Best,

Allan Brown


On 28 Mar 2011, at 17:00, Martin D. McKay wrote:

> 
> I've posted this before but will run it this second time as there seems to
> be lots of interest right now.
> 
> As a school band director, I had great success teaching improvisation and
> ended up with lots of kids who could do it at one level or another.  I got
> the basic premise from Clark Terry and developed into a series of lessons in
> connection with the Jr High band.  The idea is to limit the number of
> variables as much as possible. Get the first level down pat.  (not just
> "doing it" or even just "good."  Get the single note thing where they are
> making comprehensive ideas that hold together.  The solo must have an
> improvised beginning, a middle, and an end etc. before you move on to the
> next level.
> Here are some of them basic ideas, all played on one note.  
> 	
> 	What can you vary using just one note:
> 		Duration
> 		Patterns
> 		Tone
> 		Pitch bending
> 		Dynamic(s)
> 		(add what you would)
> 
> I would have them kids compete for the best (most interesting) solo they
> could devise just using one note
> I would also have student B "pick up" them solo from student A and show how
> he/she would further elaborate on some specific aspect of it, etc.
> I spent a lot of time (several sessions) just using one note
> 
> I would then lay down a blues chord progression (in any key) and let them
> improvise on "whatever single note sounded good" as I played each chord.
> 
> Next they could play two notes with a chord (remember, we are working these
> in different keys all the time.)
> 
> Eventually, we added fill notes between them "chordal notes" and lo and
> behold they had a blues solo.
> 
> You developed from there based on them ability of the kids you were working
> with.
> 
> 
> Worked for me!
> 
> Mart
> 
> Martin D. McKay, Designated listener
> 
> 
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