Improvisation: From Classroom to Performance

Jennifer Kamradt

Ways that can help translate from classroom to performance

• Having an “outline” or road map

• Set up your classroom with a foundation towards performance.

• Develop Fundamentals and ideas in class that students can draw upon in a performance.

“Building Guy” Goals

• Students using Rhythmic and/or Melodic Improvisation based on their prior knowledge

• Use of Unison Playing to Build Confidence and Success in Improvisation.

Body Percussion

P P P PC C C C C C C C C

SN

Body Percussion Transfer to Pitched

A A A AE E E E E E E E E

SN

Body Percussion Transfer to Instruments

Bridge with Speech

Little Building GuyLittle Building Guy

Little Little Building Guy (Huh)

Bridge Transferred to Notation

What is improvisation?

• Beginning Stages of Melodic Development• Students use Musical Concepts whether you

can name them or not. • Your own ideas created on the spot

Musical Concepts Ideas for Improvisation

– Come up with a motive you like and repeat (Ostinato)– Pick a favorite note. Example: E-F,E-A,E-B, etc– Change dynamics– Rolls on a single note or Tremalo on different notes– Grace Notes– Passing Tones– Single Handed, Double Handed, or Alternated– High vs. Low Ranges– Rhythmic and Melodic development (Sequence)– Dissonance and Resolution– Stepwise Motion or Leaps– Rests!– Syncopation

Body Percussion B Section

Build- ing Lot of Things

Oh Yeah

Body Percussion B Section

C C CP P

SN SN

Build- ing Lot of Things

Oh Yeah

Body Percussion Transfer to Instruments B Section

EA

EA

EA

BE

BE

AE

B Section Accompaniment

Transition: Refocus back to A!

The Road Map

A SectionBridge

B Section: ImprovisationTransitionA Section

Bridge

Arirang Goals

• Incorporating the use of Recorder Improvisation over a Harmonic Accompaniment.

• Incorporating Movement Improvisation in conjunction with Improvised Recorder Melodies.

• Create rhythmic drum improvisation.

Harmonic Bass Xylophone Part

Harmonic Bass Xylophone Part

G G G

G G G

G G G G

G G G

A

A E

E

Harmonic Bass Xylophone Part

GD

GD

GDG

DGD

GD

GD

AE

EB

GD

GD

GDG

DGD

GD

AE

EB

Harmonic Bass Xylophone Part

AEA

EBE

GDG

GDG

GDG

GDG

GDG

GDG

GDG

AEA

EBE

GDG

GDG

GDG

GDG

GDG

GDG

Harmonic Bass Xylophone Part

Harmonic Progression

Xylo

CBBDrums

Grapes Grapes Apples Grapes Grapes Grapes Apples Grapes

Recorder Melody

Bars-Drums-Recorders• Introduction: Accompaniment• A Section

– Accompaniment + Recorders (Song)– Drum (Beat)

• Transition– Drum (Improvisation) + Accompaniment

• B Section– Recorder (Improvised GABDE) + Accompaniment – Drum (Beat)

• Transition• A Section• Coda: Accompaniment

Movement• Introduction: Freeze• A Section

– Movement (Groups Created)

• Transition– Movement (Individual Pathways)

• B Section– Movement (Improvised based on Recorder)

• Transition• A Section• Coda: Freeze

Pathways

• Line• Curve• Zig Zag• Diagonal• Dotted Line• Shapes• Combinations

Road Map• Introduction: Accompaniment Only 2 Times• A Section

– Accompaniment + Recorders (Song)– Drum (Beat) – Movement (Groups Created)

• Transition– Drum (Improvisation) + Accompaniment– Movement (Individual Pathways)

• B Section– Recorder (Improvised GABDE) + Accompaniment – Drum (Beat) – Movement (Improvised based on Recorder)

• Transition• A Section• Coda: Accompaniment Only 2 Times

Speech

Success: How To• Build up a Foundation of Musical Knowledge

– Rhythm– Melodic Concepts– Beat– Ostinato

• Provide a structured improvisation settings before non-structured– Different Scales– Set number of measures/beats– Speech driven rhythm– Harmonic Accompaniment. Ostinatos, Chords, Beat, etc… – Groups before Individual. Safety in Numbers!

Success: How Too Part 2

• Allow student independence and exploration without limits or time frames: Free Improvisation or “Freestyle”– Development of melodic and rhythmic ideas– Comfortable improvising on any instrument.– Allow students to try new things and give it names.– Discuss the good and bad of melodic development.

What did you like and why?• Educate the Audience