The whole reason we are drawn to improvising is because it offers the promise of complete creative freedom. Finally we can express OUR music, and say what WE want to say. So isn't it ironic that the first thing we do with this freedom is to look for licks, patterns and formulas just so we can sound exactly like everybody else?

Modal Improvisation Demonstration

This is a demonstration of some of the sounds we can create with IFR Exercise 2: Melody. Throughout this entire modal improvisation, both musicians are using just seven notes.

IFR Student Question: Finding your own voice vs. transcribing solos

My question is about improvisation and expanding language. I'm a bit confused about how this fits into the IFR approach. I see the importance of knowing the sounds from the tonal map and being able to sing what you play. However, isn't improvisation also a matter of transcribing other artists' music to absorb the "feel" and "time" they have?

Jeremy Chapman on musical creativity

This great Ted Talk by Jeremy Chapman offers many surprising insights about musical creativity. His talk includes improvisation with the audience and guest musicians, and he even mentions Improvise for Real about halfway through the talk.

Introducing Creativity in your Instrument Lessons, part 1

In this four-part series just for music teachers, Mireia Clua Geli shows you how you can begin to incorporate improvisation and other creative activities in your music classes with young students.

Introducing Creativity in your Instrument Lessons, part 2

In part 2 of this four-part series just for music teachers, you will learn how you can incorporate chords and harmony into your improvisation activities with your students.

Introducing Creativity in your Instrument Lessons, part 3

In part 3 of this four-part series just for music teachers, you will learn how you can expand your improvisation activities to include improvising over popular songs.

Introducing Creativity in your Instrument Lessons, part 4

In part 4 of this four-part series just for music teachers, you will learn a simple way to help your students write down their best musical ideas.

Everyone can improvise! (playing activity with jam track)

This activity comes with a free mp3 jam track and allows you to experience the thrill of improvising your own music right from the start. No knowledge of music theory or sight reading required.

IFR Student Question: Is there a "method" for using the major scale in a melodic way?

I am wondering if there is a "method" for using the major scale in a melodic way rather than playing the scale notes randomly?

IFR Student Question: Suggestions for improving my rhythmic creativity?

You often mention syncopation in your teaching, as an element to enrich our improvisation. I wonder if you have any suggestions to exercise this ability or, better said, to open this creative door, because I feel very stuck in the same patterns with my guitar. What do you think?

Free improvisation based on the IFR Staircase exercise

Don't be shy about incorporating free improvisation into your Exercise 1 practice. Here's a beautiful example that includes large interval jumps and yet continues to be a meditation on half steps.

The universal musical mind

Bill Evans was a singular artist who made an enormous personal contribution to our modern concept of jazz piano. And yet at the same time, he saw very clearly that ALL human beings have an innate understanding of music, even if they don't yet know how to express that understanding through an instrument.