Improvisation Lessons

circle of 5ths Learn to play jazz ...

These lessons are an attempt at 'distance' teaching of a difficult aural musical skill, an almost impossible task, so remember sympathetic hard work is required.

They involve a series of written lessons and accompanying 'Band in a Box' '.mgu' files containing musical examples which can be seen and heard using the 'Band in a Box' software.

They are based on an assortment of lessons, tutorials, readings, tips and hints which I have accumulated and put together over the years. They are not instrument specific, they are an analysis of the sound of music ...

The basics of improvisation you will learn are common to all jazz styles but my personal favourite is the collective small band sound of Louis Armstrong - listen to 'muskrat ramble' ... and when you have put in the hours you will be able to play any tune in this style - try 'charmaine dixie' !!

Here we go ... click on the stave and the 'Band in a Box' logo below for action -

spiel - introduction to music and improvisation

course content - lesson overview

Don't forget the examples are zipped 'Band in a Box' files ... you will find this software almost indispensable for practice as you learn to listen and to hear ...

lesson 1 - the concept of tonality & the sound of the 'home base'

'band in a box' examples Lesson 1 & a 'silent' 'Band in a Box' style