Sävellyksen tietopankki

Sävellyksen tietopankki

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    • Imagination & other arts
    • Musical elements
    • Musical structures and analysis
    • Music technology
    • Notation & music terminology
    • Playing an instrument & singing
    • Styles & techniques
    • Interaction & cooperation
    • Arrangements & parts
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14.

Small assignment: How to begin an improvisation

A group task that is a good introduction to the world of improvisation, the main point being to explain to students what improvisation means and to encourage them to improvise.

Assignment author
Markku Klami

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Basics

Skill level
Advanced level
Introductory level
Medium level
Specialised level
Group size
Individual tuition
Large group
Small group (2 to 8)
Minimum time required
1 lessons
2 lessons
One month

Goal and output

Pedagogical goal

Introduction to the world of improvisation and interaction in improvisation.

Following sound and/or movement, listening, reacting.

Concrete output

Usually a field-like soundscape, often chaotic

Work progress

• For a warm-up, try assignment 24 Small assignment: Movement–sound.

• Improvisation can be done with a 'leader' or without.

• If you select a leader, also agree on the gestures, sounds, etc., that the leader is to use to guide the improvisation as it proceeds.

• The improvisation may be completely free, or you may agree on a particular idea or theme on which to base the improvisation, such as 'bright/dark', 'summer/winter', 'fast/slow', and so on.

Topics in the assignment

Musical elements
Form; dramaturgy of music
Harmony; chords
Melody
Rhythm
Tonal colour; extended playing techniques
Musical structures and analysis
Analysis
Dynamics; articulation
Intervals
Octaves, registers
Scales, keys
Texture
Playing an instrument & singing
Ensemble playing
Extended playing techniques
Interpretation
Playing by ear
Sight-reading; solfège
Solo/Tutti
Using one's own voice; singing
Listening
Active listening
Reference works
Notation & music terminology
Graphic notation
Music terminology
Score
Traditional notation
Arranging & parts
Arranging
Instrumentation; orchestration
Parts
Music technology
Music technology; music technology
Improvisation & interaction
Cooperation
Following sound and movement
Improvisation; soundscape
Reaction; taking turns
Styles & techniques
Aleatorics
Concrete music
Counterpoint
Field technique
Imitation
Minimalism
Pointillism
Polyphony
Imagination & other arts
Dance; movement
Mood; imagination
Music theatre
Narrative composition
Photo; image
Text

Tools

Classroom instruments
Computer, tablet or smartphone
Keyboard
Music paper
Music technology
Notation software
Own instrument
Own voice
Percussion instruments
Photographs; images
Recordings or sheet music
Sequencer software
Stationery for taking notes
TV, computer screen or video projector

Remarks

The main purpose of the assignment is to encourage students to improvise, using their voices and instruments. Controlling the progress and shape of the improvisation is the next step, and it is not necessarily feasible to go there yet in this assignment.

Further assignments

Assignment suitable for further study

...
Other similar assignments
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Info

The Opus 1 composition pedagogy databank is a gateway to the wide world of musical composition. It offers all teachers and institutions providing music education an inspiring perspective on introductory composition teaching, including a wide range of composition assignments particularly suited to teaching at music institutes, whether in large or small groups or as individual tuition.

This package was designed and delivered by a working group of specialists in composition and composition pedagogy. The project was supported financially by the Foundation for Finnish Art Music and the Society of Finnish Composers.
Read more…

Contact information

Please contact us if you want to know more or to submit your own assignments for inclusion: opus1@composers.fi

© The authors
Design: Farm / Antti Kangassalo
Code: Call to Action
Photos: Markku Klami
English translation: Jaakko Mäntyjärvi

Skill levels

  • Introductory level
  • Medium level
  • Advanced level
  • Specialised level

The basics

  • Listening
  • Imagination & other arts
  • Musical elements
  • Musical structures and analysis
  • Music technology
  • Notation & music terminology
  • Playing an instrument & singing
  • Styles & techniques
  • Interaction & cooperation
  • Arrangements & parts
  • ALL ASSIGNMENTS