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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Improvising Study HW assignments

1 reply [Last post]
Thu, 08/29/2024 - 14:27
theodoreowens
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Joined: 08/21/2024

I don't understand the difference between the various homework assignments in the Improving study 1 chapter. Sections 2 - 5 each have a homework assignment that entail applying the various ABC improvising techniques to a 12 bar jam track, using a riff and jam track of our choice. My question is about homework assignment 1 in section 6. This seems to be the same as what was completed for sections 2 - 5. Is the difference that we are supposed to use a different jam track (Improvising Study 1 Jam Track), and/or to sequence these various techniqes into each 12 bar section of this track, or am I missing the point?

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Thu, 08/29/2024 - 16:24
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello theodoreowens. Here's a

Hello theodoreowens. Here's a complete list of the assignments. The main difference is that for Section 2, you'll be playing one chorus after the other, using the same lick in the different Chorus Forms. This is how I recommend students to take a lick out of a song and practice it so that it gets the reps needed to seep into your long-term memory for later regurgitation when improvising.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

AAA Chorus Form
Chorus 1 = 1 Bar A (A played 12 times) = AAAA AAAA AAAA
Chorus 2 = 2 Bar A (A played 6 times) = AA AA AA
Chorus 3 = 4 Bar A (A played 3 times) = A A A

AAB Chorus Form
Chorus 1 = 1 Bar A = AAAA AAAA B
Chorus 2 = 2 Bar A = AA AA B
Chorus 3 = 4 Bar A = A A B

AAA and AAB Chorus Forms with Fills
Chorus 1 = Af Af At
Chorus 2 = Af Af B

A B/A C Chorus Form
Chorus 1 = A B/A C - B = Contrast
Chorus 2 = A B/A C - B = Slight Change
Chorus 3 = A B/A C - B = Sequence (Optional... for advanced players)

Homework Assignment #1, Part 1
Take one lick and place it into all chorus forms...
Chorus 1 - AAA
Chorus 2 - Af Af At
Chorus 3 - A A B
Chorus 4 - Af Af B
Chorus 5 - A B/A C = Contrast
Chorus 6 - A B/A C = Slight Change
Chorus 7 - A B/A C = Sequence (Optional)

Homework Assignment #1, Part 2
Same as above, but explore textures along the way (slaps, pulls, flutters, octaves, two-note textures, etc)

Homework Assignment #2, Part 1
Analyze Bending Study 3 "The Strut" for the use of Chorus Forms (answers in following video)

Homework Assignment #3
Write an original instrumental. Use a different lick as the main lick for each new chorus (your A). Repeat your first chorus at the end. Use a different Chorus Form for each chorus.

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