Improvisation for Classical Musicians

A Collection of Musical Games with Suggestions for Use

For Performers, Instrumental Teachers, Music Students,
Music Therapists, Bands, Orchestras, Choirs, Chamber Music Ensembles,
Conductors, Composers, Pianists, Percussionists, and Everybody Else
(even Jazz Players!)

By Jeffrey Agrell

Table of Contents
Epigraph
Foreword by Charles Rochester Young

iii

Preface

Table of Contents

viii

Part I Introduction: The Who, Why, and How of Improvisation

Introduction: Why Improvise?

Who Should Use Improvisation Games for Classical Musicians?

Suggestions for use + Sample Lists of Games

8
1. Semester Course Introduction to Improvisation for Classical Musicians
2. Instrumental Teachers
12
3. Professional Musicians
14
4. Music Students
16
-Games for 1 Player
17
-Games for 2 Players
18
5. General Music Teachers
19
6. Band & Orchestra
20
7. Choirs & Singers
22
8. Chamber Music Ensembles
23
9. Music Therapists
24
10. Piano (keyboard)
25
viii

11. Percussionists
12. Theory/Composition
13. Jazz Players
14. Everybody Else: Games for The Rest of Us!

26
27
29
32

Musical Training for Improvisation

In Search of Melody
Learning Goals
Aural Abilities
Generating Ideas
Creating Melodies
Form: Contrast and Memory
Roles: Foreground and Background
Drama and Expression
Summary

36
36
37
37
37
38
38
38
39
40

Technical Training for Improvisation

Introduction
Aural Approach: the eyes dont have it
Shorthand: Chord Symbols and Scale Degrees
Less is More
Variation & Repetition
Working with a Partner
Getting Rhythm
Rule of Relaxation
Improvisation and the Study of Technique

41
41
41
42
43
43
44
44
44
44

Approaches to Scale Study

Scales
Length Variable Scale Drill; Basic Scale Drill
Pitch
Scale Type
Patterns two types
Intervals
Diatonic vs Cycle Study
Daily Arkady
Two kinds of practice
Integrated Musical/Technical Practice: Familiar Tunes
Summary: Suggestions for Weekly Technical Practice
The Art of Accompaniment in Improvisation

Part II - Improvisation Games

Introduction to the Games
Improvisation Game Techniques

ix

45
45

46
46
46
47
47
48
48
50
52
53
58

Motivic Development Techniques

List of Games by Chapter
Quick-Start Improvisation Game Favorites
1 player
2 players
3 players
4 players
5 or more
Large group games
Warm-Up Games
Rhythm Games
Accent Games
Dynamics Games
Melody Games
Form Games
Harmony Games
Bass Line Games
Aural Games
Nontraditional Score Games
Conducting Games
Energy/Mood Games
Texture Games
Timbre Games
Composition Games
Depiction Games
Technique Games
Accompaniment Games
Style Games
Text Games
Storytelling Games
Miscellaneous Games
Improv Set-Ups
Extended Combination Games

Part III Resources

Improvisation Principles
Improvisation Books, Articles, and Links
Constructing Improvisation Compositions
Comprehensive Musicianship Chart
Soundpainting Gestures The Basics
Chord Symbols - Reference List
Scale types Study Groups
Scale and Chord Chart
Variants
x

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77
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82
84
87
92
117
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159
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215
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248
249
252
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261
263
266
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Patterns & Scales

Cycles
Familiar tunes list
Styles & Forms list
Improv Starter Generator
Creative Percussion Instruments

Part IV - Game Indexes

By Chapter in Alphabetical Order
By Chapter and Number of Players
All Games in Alphabetical Order
All Games by Number of Players

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283
285
286
292
303
309