Music Learning Workshop Blog » Composition

Improvisation In F Major

Brad_C — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:00:50 +0000

I was asked how I approach improvisation of music the other day. I explained that it really takes on various forms depending on mood, intent, and objectives. However, I do find that some of the best efforts come from just sitting down and letting go. The other day on a late summer day evening I [...]

Improvisation In F Major is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog

Music Break for Summer?

Brad_C — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Here in the U.S. the school year is over and summer is here again, everyone is in break mode. It's hard to keep wanting to practice or study anything as we get outside and enjoy the sun and fun.

Music Break for Summer? is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog

Solo Improvising with Chords

Brad_C — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 12:00:14 +0000

Improvising with Chords is another method of filling in short segments, or for that matter whole parts of a song with big sound.

Solo Improvising with Chords is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog

Improvising with Octave Unisons

Brad_C — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 14:50:36 +0000

Octave unison is an improvising technique that is easy to understand and takes just a little practice to implement.

Improvising with Octave Unisons is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog

Creating a Musical Motif

Brad_C — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:37:54 +0000

Many students struggle with the very concept of improvising and believe you need to be able to create a motif on the fly. That is, create some melody or pattern instantly. It’s this idea, that its instant, which becomes a road block to improvising.

Creating a Musical Motif is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog

Beginning Chord Voicing Concepts

Brad_C — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:00:57 +0000

Once you’ve learned basic chord structure you will begin to enter the realm of chord voicing, which is how to you use chord notes in various combinations and reordered to create a different sound using the same chord or scale notes.

Beginning Chord Voicing Concepts is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog

Creating Melodies Improvising with Scale Tones

Brad_C — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:05:54 +0000

Improvising with scale tones is an extension of what we’ve talked about in creating melodies. Specifically we started with a scale and skipped or sequentially stepped through the notes or tones. Much of what is used in the scale is repeating patterns, so let’s explore what you might do with that scale you have chosen to use over your chord.

Creating Melodies Improvising with Scale Tones is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog

Creating Melodies – Alternate Scales

Brad_C — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:00:55 +0000

Once you've learned the basic melody types of skipping and stepping to create melodies you move on to which scale to use. This involves using more than just a basic major or minor scale and moving into new choices.

Creating Melodies – Alternate Scales is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog

Creating Melodies – Basic Types

Brad_C — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:38:32 +0000

Creating melodies is a challenge in the beginning for music students, they learn what other composers have created for melody lines. After a time the student wants to create their own melodies. Starting with understanding the two basic types will help. learn more...

Creating Melodies – Basic Types is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog

So You Want to Write Music

Guest Author — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:15:38 +0000

Writing Music is a dream of many musicians, Guest Author and Composer-Teacher, Bob Reno talks to us about writing music and music theory. Read more...

So You Want to Write Music is a post from: Music Learning Workshop Blog