The Improvisation class, taught to the HND1 class by Simon, is a class that every student in the Music Box at SCE now has, apparantely. Which is pleasing, as I believe improvisation to be a vital skill every musician should possess. Hearing that we'd be have classes in it this year pleased me to no end.
This blog will document said class, from what we do whilst in it to what work we do for it at home. With any luck, if will also document any progress I personally make with my playing thanks to the class. Expect thousands upon thousands of typos, as well as spelling errors and grammar bad enough to make a person vomit.
The first class was a tad awkward at first; improvising rhythms while introducing yourself to the rest of the class at the same time. After that, we to improvise a rhythm and add melody to it. At first, I was shy (as were most) and put little effort into it. Once everyone had had a turn, however, and everyone got settled in, we were told to skat sing over a 12 bar jazz loop in the key of F. I did this without feeling embrassed, as did most people - which is how it always should be in a course dedicated to performing.
Anyways, for next week we've to listen to a single Count Basie song and learn one of the various licks or solos played over a 12 bar blues section. I've picked 'Honeysuckle', from an album I'm not sure of. The one I've got simply says 'The Best of Early Basie'. I will most likely use the piano melody heard at the very start, or the licks used by the brass section near the end.
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