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Jazz Improvisation
  • Level Professional
  • Duration 14 hours
  • Course by Berklee
  • Offered by

About

Learn the basic concepts of improvisation from Gary Burton, one of the most renowned improvisers in the jazz world, including the mental, melodic, and harmonic processes that contribute to the instinctive skills that an improviser puts to use when taking a solo. While many people are fans of jazz and understand that musicians are often "making up" the notes they are playing during a performance, most people"often including musicians, themselves, who are beginning to learn improvising"aren't clear about what exact processes take place to enable this to happen. The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic concepts of modern improvisation and how to go about mastering the different musical and mental skills involved. Course author Gary Burton codifies a sought-after approach to improvisation that has been at the core of Berklee College of Music's curriculum for decades. Students who complete this course will know what to practice and how to practice the various aspects of improvising, in addition to understanding how the improviser spontaneously communicates to the listeners through their musical creations.

Modules

Welcome to Jazz Improvisation

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Welcome to Jazz Improvisation

1 Readings

  • Connect with Your Classmates

Orientation

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • What Are Your Goals?

2 Videos

  • Learning Music Online
  • How this Course Works

2 Readings

  • Course Resources
  • Earn A Course Certificate

Improvisation as a Language

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Improvisation Study
  • The Relationship Between Spoken Language & Music
  • Story-Telling

1 Readings

  • Spoken Language and Improvised Music

Developing Your Language Skills

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • SELF ASSESSMENT: Improvisation as a Language

1 Peer Review

  • Improvisation as a Language

1 Discussions

  • Improvisation as a Language

1 Videos

  • Creating Your Assignment (week 2)

The Improviser's Vocabulary

    • 6 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Identify the Scale

6 Videos

  • The Improviser's Vocabulary
  • Learning Scales
  • 10 Most Important Scales
  • The Modes
  • Dominant 7 Scale Choices
  • Using Chord Scales

2 Readings

  • The 7 Modes from Brightest to Darkest
  • 3 Additional Scales

Expanding Your Vocabulary

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • SELF ASSESSMENT: Understanding Others' Vocabulary

1 Peer Review

  • Expanding Your Vocabulary

1 Discussions

  • Understanding Others' Vocabulary

1 Readings

  • How to Record Yourself for Assignments

Making Scale Choices in Real Time

    • 6 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Scale Choices

6 Videos

  • Choosing a Chord Scale
  • Finding the Correct Major Scale
  • Chord Scale Method
  • Finding the Correct Minor Chord Scale
  • Minor Examples
  • Finding the Correct Dominant Chord Scale

Choosing Your Scale

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • SELF ASSESSMENT: 500 Miles High

1 Peer Review

  • Finding the Right Scale

1 Discussions

  • 500 Miles High

1 Videos

  • Creating Your Assignment (week 4)

Lesson - Harmony for Improvisers

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Harmony

4 Videos

  • Harmonic Motion
  • Guide-Tones
  • Using Guide-Tone Lines
  • Harmonic Motion 2

1 Readings

  • Guide-Tone Line Examples Used in Week 4 Videos

Improvising with Guide Tones

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • SELF ASSESSMENT: Memories of Tomorrow

1 Peer Review

  • Improvising with Guide Tones

1 Discussions

  • Memories of Tomorrow

1 Videos

  • Creating Your Assignment (week 5)

Lesson - Theme and Variation

    • 7 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Theme and Variation

7 Videos

  • Theme
  • The Unfolding of a Story
  • Three Characteristics of Melodic Form
  • Variation
  • Musical Sentences
  • Analyzing Songs
  • Conclusion

Lesson 5 Assignment and Peer Review

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Theme and Variation

1 Videos

  • Creating Your Assignment (week 6)

1 Readings

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Auto Summary

Discover the art of Jazz Improvisation with guidance from Gary Burton, a celebrated figure in the jazz community. This course delves into the fundamental concepts of improvisation, exploring the mental, melodic, and harmonic techniques that skilled performers use to create spontaneous solos. Designed for those fascinated by jazz and eager to understand the intricate processes behind it, this course breaks down the improvisational methods that even experienced musicians seek to master. With a curriculum rooted in the prestigious Berklee College of Music, learners will gain insights into effective practice strategies and the ability to convey musical ideas intuitively to their audience. Offered by Coursera, this professional-level course spans 840 minutes of in-depth content, perfect for aspiring and seasoned musicians alike. Flexible subscription options, including Starter, Professional, and Paid plans, make it accessible to a wide range of learners eager to enhance their improvisational prowess. Join now to elevate your jazz skills and unlock the secrets of spontaneous musical expression.

Gary Burton
Instructor

Gary Burton