Reply To: Improvisation!

[nafmeadmin]

Hey Traci,

I start with with just the notes E, F, and G on the high string. I play a four-note pattern using only quarter notes and have the class echo. After getting comfortable with that, I’ll give the class a few moments to make up their own pattern. Then we just go around the room, first the “soloist” plays their pattern, then the whole class echoes it, next soloist, class echo, etc. When we get in the groove we can do it with no pauses at all and keep time. Sometimes, I’ll throw on a drum track (I use GarageBand on an iPad for that) and you can even have it generate some chords if you want. Later, we’ll add more strings, and pitches to the patterns and increase their length. I’ve found this to be a lot more effective then “here’s the pentatonic scale, go nuts.”