Reflection Assignment HND 1 Improvisation.
So far, I have, to say the least, struggled in Improvisation class. Each class we have been learning scales and improvising to Simon’s backing tracks. Although I am a first study singer, I have also tried to pick up improvisation using the keyboard as well as obviously my voice. Admittedly to begin with I found this tedious and rather unhelpful however I feel that improvisation has and will still help me greatly as a musician. Although it may not have come across, I have tried to lose my inhibitions and really try to participate willingly even when I’m certain I’m not on the right track. Improvisation is something I myself, and I know a lot of the other singers have found difficult. Personally, I find not being able to visualize my “instrument” quite a crutch as I’m never sure if the notes I am going to sing will be accurate - however I realize that’s a confidence issue.
Fortunately, I have access to a piano at home so when I’m not in class I have this at my “disposal” to practice and feel I benefit from practicing outside of class so I can afford to make mistakes on my own and work out where I may be going wrong.
I feel confident in improvisation to the extent of being able to follow “instruction” and understand what is being asked of me. This possibly doesn’t show in class as I am still lacking in the confidence I need to improvise well however, it’s not because I don’t want to participate or feel I “can’t” do it, again, it’s something that through time I fully intend to become more confident at.
My weakness’ in this class, I feel are potentially magnified and I believe this has a lot to do with why I’m under confident. As improvisation isn’t something I’m particularly familiar with, I feel “put on the spot” and in some respect vulnerable to it.
I fully intend to make a conscious effort to improve my improvisation skills both with myself and in class. Simon has given us a brief description of what the next set of improvisation classes have in store and from the weeks gone by I know more of what to expect and what is expected of me. I am spending time at home and out of class learning scales on the keyboard/piano and using these to try and visualize what notes I am singing. I also fully understanding how important it is to keep up with music theory, another one of my weakness’. I will admit, to begin with I assumed Improvisation was just messing about and jamming with other students however I know now not to take for granted the source of theory behind it and how this class will prepare me as a better musician.
This is a song by “Count Basie” (and Cleveland Eaton)
Simon introduced me to Count Basie and suggested I listened to them in my spare time, which I have been. It’s helped me to understand the structure of Jazz.
This is the “backing track” to a well known song, performed by Frank Sinatra.
This track is in the key of C major. Although it may not be quite the kind of practice we were expected to do, I felt it helped me and gave me a good starting point as the tune was familiar to me and from there I could improvise to create a completely different sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TQmts_MxyQ&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL4125EEB7F82E89DE
