Learning Goals

• To deeply understand how music really works
• To start thinking about music like a composer, not a computer.

For specific improv vocabulary in a particular genre, check out each school of music: Blues & Boogie Woogie || Country || Gospel || Jazz || Rock ||

Links to Lessons

Mindset

1. Why Study Composition & Improvisation?
2. The True Nature of Composition & Improvisation
3. Theory & Practice
4. Creativity
5. Micro-Lessons

A Case Study

1. Lead Sheet
2. What does the Lead Sheet Tell Us?
3. Deep Melodic Analysis
4. Form & Harmony
5. Simple Chord Accompaniment
6. Alberti Bass Accompaniment
7. Change Register
8. Change Articulation
9. Change Tonality
10. Shift the Melody
11. Change the Meter
12. Chord Tone Melody
13. Scale Tone Melody
14. Harmonic-Melodic Suspension
15. Left Hand Melody
16. Harmonize Melody in Sixths
17. Subdivide Beat into Triplets
18. Pedal Point
19. Melodic Sequence
20. Pickups
21. Two-Handed Chord Melody
22. Rhythmic Motives 
23. Add an Introduction
24. Add an Ending

Study-Practice Ideas

• Commonly-Used Chord Patterns: C Major Triad
• Commonly-Used Chord Patterns: C Minor Triad