Basic Blues Improv
#creative This is a one-week crash course on the basics of jazz improvisation for school band students, ages 13-17.
Timothy Burt
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(43)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
Beginner Level
This is class on jazz improvisation based on the most widely used jazz chord progression: 12-Bar Blues. Students will merge knowledge, skills, and creativity together to improvise their own solo lines. Topics include, but are not limited to: Music Theory: scales, chords, rhythm, 12-Bar Blues chord progression Music Skills: scales, rhythm, articulation, blues and swing styles Soloing Tips: common chord notes, find the feel & keep the beat, keep it simple, think melodically, hear it-play it Riffs and Tunes: basic blues riffs (background patterns) and melodies The instructor teaches in a "call and response" method. He demonstrates the knowledge, leads the class in the initial practice and rehearsal of the concept, then leads in teacher-student exchange of the concepts in real time. The virtual class format allows students to turn off their microphones and play along with the teacher. Due to the nature of class being both visual and auditory lessons, students need to keep their cameras on at all times and be able to turn their microphones on and off as directed by the instructor. Prerequisites: 1) This is class is for band instrument students who have at least two years of band playing experience. Other instrumentalists are welcome, but the teacher's expertise is with school band instruments: brass and woodwinds. 2) Minimum requirements: Can play 3 major scales: Concert keys of F, B-flat, and E-flat, and a one-octave chromatic scale on Concert Bb. 3) Recommended requirements: Can play 5 major scales: Concert keys of C, F, B-flat, E-flat, and A-flat, and a two-octave chromatic scale on Concert F.
Learning Goals
The student will learn form and theory of 12-bar blues, common tones and near tones between adjacent chords, rhythmic patterns, and riffs that can be used to form initial improvisation material. The student will be instructed to play along with the instructor and an accompaniment track during class, play samples back to the class, and record one's self to share with the teacher.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 1 WeekLesson 1:
Session 1: Tones and Time
Improvisation is based upon a set of tones applied with various rhythms in a particular style of delivery. The Blues Scale and Swing Rhythms will help us discover how to get started with improvisation. This lesson will introduce the Blues scale and swing-style rhythms played over 12-bar blues. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Session 2: Chords and Consonance
Improvisation creates within the chord structure. Understanding the chords, how to move within the chords, and from one chord to the next will open creative pathways. This lesson will introduce the three basic chords of 12-Bar Blues and distinguish same tone and near tone relationships between chords. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Session 3: Patterns and Practice
Improvisation incorporates patterns that move from the consonant notes through the dissonant notes to create pleasant sounds. This lesson will reveal common patterns of movement that connect from one chord to the next gives the performer a repertoire provides a bag of tricks for the soloist to mix and match. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Session 4: Seeing and Singing
Improvisation uses the mind's eye to "see" and "hear" before "singing". This lesson will teach students to create from within through imagination and share it through singing before trying to play on the instrument. 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students will receive materials from the teacher posted in the class information email.
A list of recordings of accompaniment tracks on Youtube.com will be provided as well. These recordings have already been pre-screened to insure there is no inappropriate content.
Pre-Requisites
Students need to be able to play a two-octave range, know all the Chromatic tones in that range, and the Major scales associated with Concert F, Bb, Eb, and Ab. The student should be able to play legato, marcato, and staccato stylings.
Supply List
1) An instrument in good working order: all valves, slides move freely, and are well lubricated. Reed instruments need at least two good reeds. 2) Ability to view PDFs on a tablet/laptop/PC or print out them out for practice. 3) A pencil and notebook/notepad for writing down important concepts, thoughts, ideas. 4) An hour a day for three days to devote personal study and practice before the next session.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
43reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
The instructor has 16 years of experience teaching band classes in public, private, and parochial and an equal number of years teaching private music lessons. He understands the need for discretion in choice of supplemental materials. He will screen each recording before putting it on a sheet of recommended study materials. Reviews
Live Group Class
$80
for 4 classes4x per week, 1 week
50 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
4-12 learners per class
