Lesson 3: Improvisation Basics
Duration of Days: 180
Lesson Objective
Students will create simple improvised phrases using a limited note set.
What is improvisation?
How can you create a melody on the spot?
Improvisation, motif, call-and-response, blues scale
MU:Cr1.1.7a
Generate rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrases and variations within AB, ABA, or theme and variation forms.
MU:Cr3.1.7a
Evaluate their own work, applying selected criteria such as application of selected elements of music.
Students experiment with short improvisations using a five-note blues scale.
Students may feel improvisation must be “perfect.”
They may ignore rhythm while creating melodies.
Limit pitch options.
Model simple call-and-response phrases.
Students perform a short improvised phrase over a provided backing rhythm.