Improvisation - Music Worldmusic-world.com/MC-Chapters/BTS-ChImprov.pdf · Improvisation (Style CD – track 2) ... Blues scale will make you a more versatile and expressive singer.

Improvisation(Style CD – track 2)

In general, improvisation refers to alterations in both phrasing and melody line. This includes embellishments such as blue notes, grace notes, and licks. Although many experienced singers have the ability to spontaneously improvise, most improvisations are well rehearsed.

A singer may improvise on words and phrases, between phrases, during instrumental intros or instrumental interludes (sometimes called breaks), on endings and on repeat and fade endings. Repeated choruses as well are often embellished with improvisational material.

THE BLUES SCALE (Style CD – track 3)

Singers of all types of Pop (non-Classical) music should be familiar with the Blues scale since so many songs are written with a Blues influence and so much improvisational material used by singers is derived from the Blues scale.

Whether you sing Pop, Country, Rock, Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, Blues or Jazz, knowing the Blues scale will make you a more versatile and expressive singer.

Here is an example of the Blues scale, beginning on C.

Sing:

1-----3b-----4----4#-----5-----7b- --8-( )-8-----7b ---5------5b ----4----3b ----1

The notes of the Blues scale form a melody of their own, so you can learn to sing the Blues scale by ear without knowing how to read music or knowing anything about music theory. If you are familiar with the Major and minor scales, you will notice that the intervals of the Blues scale are different from the intervals of the Major and minor scales. The intervals of the Blues scale are:

minor 3rd (1-1/2 steps)Major 2nd (whole step) minor 2nd (half step)minor 2nd (half step)minor 3rd (1-1/2 steps)Major 2nd (whole step)

A Blues scale can be derived from any Major scale by lowering the 3rd, 5th and 7th notes by a half step. If you think of the above Blues scale as an altered C Major scale, notice that the 3rd, which is normally E is lowered to Eb. The 5th, normally G is lowered to Gb (written as F# when ascending, Gb when descending) and the 7th, normally B, is lowered to Bb. If you want a Blues feel for a song in a minor key, lower the 5th by a half step.

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In general, songs written in Major keys tend to be more optimistic in subject matter while songs written in minor keys tend to be more melancholy. Since the Blues scale is closely related to the minor scale and Blues songs are written primarily with the notes of the Blues scale, "singin' the Blues" often conveys a sad or melancholy theme.

BLUES EXERCISES: (Style CD – track 3)

1. Here is the C Blues scale. Sing "doot" on each note ascending and descending.

1---3b--4---4#--5---7b --8- ( ) -8--7b --5--5b ---4---3b --1

Notice that when ascending the C Blues scale, we use a sharped 4th (F#). When descending, we use a flatted 5th (Gb). The F# and Gb are the same pitch spelled differently. Notes that sound the same but spelled differently are enharmonic equivalents.

2. Sing the following Blues melodies, slowly at first and then with a little more freedom, spontaneity and agility.

3. Choose other starting pitches and repeat the above exercises. Train yourself to sing the Blues scale, ascending or descending, beginning on any note.You can give a song a Blues feel by using elements of the Blues scale for embellishments, also called licks. Another way of getting a Blues feel is by bending a note, which means singing the written pitch and sliding slightly above (sharp) or below (flat). Such altered or bent notes are called Blue notes.

In singing Blues, your pitch accuracy (intonation, singing in tune), must be impeccable. If one pitch is off, it tends to throw off the next pitch and so on. Be especially accurate with the half

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steps in a descending line because there is a stronger tendency to flat the pitch on the way down.Use the Blues scale to exercise your voice in all parts of your range. This will develop your musical ear and vocal coordination and broaden your improvisational skills.Here's a phrase in the Rhythm & Blues style as it appears written in the sheet music.

Sing: (Style CD – track 4)

A singer familiar with the Blues scale can transform that simple written phrase into this soulful expression.

Sing:

Here's another variation.

Sing:

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Here's a phrase in Country style in its simple form, as it might appear in sheet music.

Sing: (Style CD – track 5)

Here it is again with some Blue notes added on the second note in the second measure, first note in the third measure and the third note in the third measure.

Sing:

Try this variation.

Sing:

Here's a phrase from a Rock ballad in its original form, as written.

Sing: (Style CD – track 6)

Sometimes singers add subtle notes of short duration that are not obvious to the average listener. These may be called passing tones, grace notes or hidden notes. These may or may not be Blue notes. Here's the above phrase again with added grace notes on `life' and `al -' and a Blues lick on the second syllable of "alright".

Sing:

Here's another variation.

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Sing:

Play the following chord progression over and over and sing your own improvised melodies in the Blues style. You may also use the accompaniments on the Style CD track 6.Practice slowly at first and give your full range a good workout. In addition to your lower register, use your upper register or falsetto to reach the highest notes of your range and for dramatic effect. Here's your chance to wail. (Style CD – track 7)

Listen to Blues singers like Ray Charles, Billie Holiday, Linda Hopkins, Joe Williams and others to get the feel of this style. Sing with them and learn authentic Blues style and develop your own personal feel for Blues songs. This feel will help you with all styles of Pop music. Improvise and have fun!

Here's a phrase as it might be sung in Country style, as written.

Sing: (Style CD – track 8)

Here it is again with added melody notes.

Sing:

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Here's another variation with licks on "more" and "day".

Sing:

Here's another Country phrase in its simple form.

Sing: (Style CD – track 9)

Here it is again with added melody notes on the word "talkin'". Notice how this lick brings out the Country flavor of the phrase.

Sing:

Here's another way to sing the same phrase.

Sing:

Practice all of these phrases slowly at first, then up to tempo.

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Here's a phrase in the R&B / Soul style without improvisation.

Sing: (Style CD track 10)

Here it is again with some style, using added melody notes. Notice the lick on the word "cry", which increases the emotional impact.

Sing:

Here's another way to sing that phrase with more variation.

Sing:

Here's another R&B phrase in its simple form without embellishments.

Sing: (Style CD track 11)

Here it is again with a lick on the word "man". (Style CD track. 11)

Sing:

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Try this variation.

Sing:

Here's a phrase in Rock style, in its simple form.

Sing: (Style CD track. 12)

Here's another way to sing that phrase with added melody notes for embellishment.

Sing:

Here's another variation of the same phrase.

Sing:

Here's another phrase from a Rock ballad, as written.

Sing: (Style CD track. 13)

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Now, with added melody notes.

Sing:

Try this variation.

Sing:

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