Secondary Curriculum – Pathway to a Piece: Lesson 2, Main 2: Group Improvisation

Time: 20 minutes

Group size: Whole Group

Tag words: scale, minor, improvisation, improvising, backing track, rising, rhythm, rest, call and response, develop, solo, vary, dynamics, articulation, harmony. 

RESOURCE NEEDED: Pathway to a Piece 1, Project Examples Worksheet.doc, backing track 1

Tell the class that the improvisation is going to develop by moving to each person in turn, for a contribution. Everyone should play the first written phrase together every time, and each person in turn adds their own improvised solo in the gap. If they can do nothing else, they can just stick to one note or repeat the first written phrase. If they like, they can add in C# to the DEFGA scale.

Discuss and evaluate.

Repeat the group improvisation. This time, pupils need to be thinking about how they can vary the first tutti phrase without changing the rhythm of it.

Ask the class for ideas. e.g. Miss out certain instruments, change the texture, change the pitch/register by playing it up or down an octave, vary the dynamics, change the articulation, and if confident perhaps add harmony.

Repeat the task if time allows.

RECORD THIS WORK TO ACT AS A MEMORY AID FOR THE NEXT SESSION