Introduction to Improvisation for Classical Musicians (345-0-1)

Instructors

Adam Unsworth

Meeting Info

Pick-Staiger Rehearsal Room: Mon, Wed 12:00PM - 12:50PM

Overview of class

This course will provide instruction and practice tools for classical musicians interested in improvising on their instrument. Students will develop aural and rhythmic skills along with the ability to improvise as a soloist and member of an ensemble. The class will primarily work in a free improvisational setting and will briefly introduce basic jazz harmony, form, and style.

Registration Requirements

Students must be majoring in Classical Music and studying an instrument or voice with a BSM studio teacher

Learning Objectives

Students will participate in both solo and small ensemble improvisational settings. At the end of this course students will be adept at making music on their instruments without standard written notation as a guide.

Teaching Method

Ensemble playing, listening and reacting in a group setting, accompanying vs. solo playing, and compositional structure will be emphasized. Students will spontaneously create melodies, sounds, and timbres, sometimes with imposed musical boundaries, other times with complete freedom. Playing simple tunes by ear in twelve keys, call and response drills, intervallic tuning, and pitch/dynamic/timbre matching exercises will enhance each student's aural training.

Evaluation Method

Students will be primarily graded on their attendance, participation, and improvement in class activities over the course of term.

Class Materials (Required)

instrument/voice

Class Attributes

SoC Humanities and Fine Arts Distro