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Category Archive: Composition

Improvisation Fundaments: The Big Picture

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Thirty-Eight insights to get your whole mindset regarding musical improvisation moving in the right direction… clearing up so many widespread misconceptions of what improvisation is and isn’t!

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2021-11-29 Composition, Improvisation

Composition & Improvisation: A Case Study: Part 24 of 24: Idea: Add an Ending

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A common practice is to add a few extra bars at the end of the form in order to signal crisp and clear closure…

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2011-06-29 Composition, Improvisation

Composition & Improvisation: A Case Study: Part 23 of 24: Idea: Add an Introduction

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A well-crafted Introduction can create a sense of anticipation, establish a mood, and build musical momentum going into “the top” of the piece…

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2011-06-29 Composition, Improvisation

Composition & Improvisation: A Case Study: Part 22 of 24: Idea: Rhythmic Motives

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Rhythm is an extremely powerful organizing force in music, oftentimes moreso than the pitches…

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2011-06-29 Composition, Improvisation

Composition & Improvisation: A Case Study: Part 21 of 24: Idea: Two-Handed Chord Melody

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Here is a two-fisted melody consisting exclusively of chord tones played as alternating pairs in both hands…

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2011-06-29 Composition, Improvisation

Composition & Improvisation: A Case Study: Part 20 of 24: Idea: Pickups

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There is no rule that says that a song or chorus must begin on the first downbeat…

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2011-06-29 Composition, Improvisation

Composition & Improvisation: A Case Study: Part 19 of 24: Idea: Melodic Sequence

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A Sequence is a pattern with a characteristic melodic shape and rhythm that moves through the chord changes…

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2011-06-29 Composition, Improvisation

Composition & Improvisation: A Case Study: Part 18 of 24: Idea: Pedal Point

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Pedal Point means to play a single note in the bass as the chords change above…

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2011-06-29 Composition, Improvisation

Composition & Improvisation: A Case Study: Part 17 of 24: Idea: Subdivide Beat into Triplets

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One way to Subdivide the Beat is to play triplet chords in the left hand…

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2011-06-29 Composition, Improvisation

Composition & Improvisation: A Case Study: Part 16 of 24: Idea: Harmonize Melody in Sixths

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Trying harmonizing the melody in Sixths going up and down the C major scale…

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2011-06-29 Composition, Improvisation

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