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
Basics
Minimum time required
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 structures and analysis
Playing an instrument & singing
Notation & music terminology
Arranging & parts
Music technology
Styles & techniques
Imagination & other arts
Tools
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
