Improvisation foundation and essentials

Improvisation foundation and essentials

Improve your improvisational techniques and essentials

In this series Simon Rigter presents a detailed summary of the foundation and essentials of improvisation especially for saxophone.

Lessons:
1. “The foundation”
2. “Ornamentations”
3.“6th dim scales”
4. "Avoiding the augmented 2nd"
5. "The Chromatic major scale"
6. "The Chromatic Major part 2, combinations"

Video's: 2,5 hours

Skill Level: Intermediate

Language: English

Get personal video feedback every week and earn a certificate from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam: Visit the Course page!

How it works:

The course is a series of related video lessons, each structured around a specific topic or topics. By the end of this course, you will have developed a strong sense of direction in your daily study routine.

Weekly video lessons
after joining the course, you will be able to view a new video lesson weekly. Each video lesson consists of:

Examples that musically define the sound of the topic you are studying in each video

A study routine section in which we first discuss how to study the specific topic of each lesson. We will then play several exercises specially written to show you how to structure your daily study routine

Assignments that will help you consolidate and practice what you have learned in each video.

Weekly assignments
After each lesson, you will be asked to study, practice and then video record yourself playing an assignment which may consist of several exercises. When ready, you submit the video of your assignment. The process of having to record yourself every week, significantly helps to internalise the material discussed in this course - quickly and naturally.

Weekly feedback: This function is only available in the "course" mode.

Certificate: This function is only available in the "course" mode.

Content of this course:

Lesson 1 - The foundation
In this lesson, Simon introduces the basic scales required for improvisation. He also demonstrates ways to practice the three major scales, the three minor scales and implement it in different melodical variations.
 
Lesson 2 – Ornamentations
In this lesson, Simon introduces ways in which we can decorate scales using diatonics and chromatics approach notes. This comprehensive lesson will cover many different approaches possibilities to the scales discussed in lesson 1
 
Lesson 3 - 6th dim scales
In this lesson, Simon introduces a very practical 8 note scale which incorporates a chromatic passing note between the 5th and 6th degrees. Simon will take you through the different target notes of the scale, different combinations, chromaticism and variations.
 
Lesson 4 - Avoiding the augmented 2nd
In this lesson, Simon introduces a comprehensive exercise for avoiding the augmented 2nd within scale patterns. You will look at the similarities between the major and minor variations and look at possible alterations and substitutions
 
 
Lesson 5 - The Chromatic major scale
In this lesson, Simon introduces a technique to ensure that scales fall on the beat when playing 8th notes. By adding chromatic notes, starting on different degrees and exploring different possibilities you can anticipate you can ensure your target placement on the beat.
 
 
Lesson 6 - The Chromatic Major part 2, combinations
In this lesson, Simon combines exercises from the previous lessons. You will combine the chords, scales, chromatic approach notes and variations to be aware of the many different possibilities.