Improvisation for Beginners (me included!)

During a musicians’ learning programme, emphasis is too often placed on achieving grades and playing music ‘correctly’, however the skills gained from improvisation exercise creativity, initiative, and responsibility; values that feed back profoundly into a child’s musical and non-musical development.

Across each session, students will be guided through a number of 1-2 minute exercises, where their choices of notes or techniques are deliberately made sparse to encourage them to be inventive with limited resources. Theoretical explanations and practical demonstrations will feature between each exercise to maintain focus; and overlays of notations, instructions and tips/tricks throughout the videos will make the content easier to understand. Underlying each video is a custom made audio track composed by me, providing a stable and accessible backdrop in which to improvise ‘with’, giving the unique sense of ensemble in a remote learning environment.

Throughout this video series the balanced programme of improvisation, theory and technique will contribute directly towards improving a students’ musicianship skills, and also towards developing a host of vital transferable skills across all subject areas. I also hope that the guided creative exercises will give individuals a feeling of ownership and self-confidence.