Review: Coursera Introduction to Improvisation

I’ve just completed the assignments for Week 1 of Gary Burton’s introductory improvisation class. I think it’s off to a good start, and he really throws you right into the thick of things. The first lectures address music as a parallel of language and as a way of storytelling. The first improvisation assignment requires recording a solo over a song form consisting mostly of II-V-I changes in three different keys. There is also a written component in which the students give a brief and general description of the solo performed by Dr. Burton as an example. All materials are peer reviewed, so I’ll update you on that process as it happens. Here is a link to my first improvisation assignment on Soundcloud: Week 1 Assignment

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