Opus 111 Jazz Improv Lessons
For those individuals participating in the Opus 111 jazz improv class, this is where you will be able to download previous information.
The Band-in-a-Box practice tracks can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
January 10, 2009
This first lesson covers the basics of jazz improv, namely rhythm, as well as a few other pointers for the beginning improv student.
Download the rhythm worksheet here.
Download a short PowerPoint presentation about the topics covered today here.
Practicing two things will help prepare you for future sessions.
- Make sure you know your major scales
- Make sure you know your key signatures
January 17, 2008
This lesson concerns chord vocabulary and construction. Terms covered included the root, 3rd, and 5th of a chord. Covered only briefly were the different types of 7th chords.
Download a slideshow here.
Next session will cover "non-chord" tones, notes that are in between the notes that make a chord. To make this easier, please work on the following:
- Try to have all major chords memorized
- For each letter as the root, know what the 3rd and 5th notes would be.
- Key Signatures will be critical!
- Be comfortable with the exercise we're playing; the concert Bbm7 to Eb7 chords.
March 7, 2009
This lesson covers the concept of chord tones and non-chord tones. The slideshow PDF goes into better detail.
Download the slideshow here.
For Next Time:
- Continue to practice with the Band-in-a-Box exercise.
Band-in-a-Box Downloads
- 2-chord exercise (concert Bbm7 to concert Eb7) speed=120. Click Here
- 2-chord exercise (same chords as above) speed=160. Click Here
- 2-chord exercise (same chords as above) speed=90. Click Here
- 3-chord exercise (concert Bbm7 to concert Eb7 to 2 measures of concert AbMaj7) Click Here
Hey Emma!
Here's the practice track I promised you. Remember, stick with C and F, add a couple of other pitches (any pitches, like A or Bb) and have fun. Click here for the music.
Click here to return to the top.