Composing in Fast Motion
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Composing in Fast Motion: The Improvisational Spectrum
The goals of this colloquy are: 1. Giving both musical and non-musical participants a historic overview of different approaches to improvisation under the large headings of Blues and Jazz; 2. to interact with a diverse “discography” of improvisation through guided listening (CD’s and YouTube); and 3. to actually do improvisation. These goals will be achieved through a roughly equal mix of presentation, interactive discussion, weekly guided listening assignments and in-class guided listening, live demonstration and participation.
Scott Cleveland is a lifelong composer/singer/pianist/music educator/church musician. He holds degrees in Music Education, Music Theory/Composition and a M.Div. from BU. He has several solo albums and performs locally in numerous duos/trios/quartets and as music director for many local productions. He is on the Adjunct Music Faculty of UMA, and is the Music Director for The Deer Isle Congregational Church.
Syllabus/Reading
Listening List: All of the following can be found on YouTube.com:
Session #1:
Listening Goal #1: Compare and contrast the improvising approach of these four Blues guitarists. How are they similar? How are they different?
Listening Goal #2: To what extent do they improvise (vary) the sung melody?
Robert Johnson, “Cross Road Blues”
Cream, “Crossroads”
B.B. King, “Why I Sing the Blues”; B.B. King: “The Thrill is Gone”
Stevie Ray Vaughn: “The Sky is Crying”
Session #2:
Louis Armstrong and the Hot Five: “Hotter Than That”
Louis Armstrong and the Hot Five: “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue”
James P. Johnson: “Carolina Shout”
Count Basie Orchestra: “88 Basie Street”
Count Basie Orchestra: “Taxi War Dance”
Duke Ellington Orchestra: “Take the A Train”
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