HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR IMPROVISING SKILLS- BASIC IMPROVISATION

From 89 C$ /h

This class is an introduction to basic improvisation , using the 12 bar blues as a starting point and letting students explore the possibilities of extending rhythmic ideas and how to use more notes. Takes the concept of learning to talk as a standpoint and helps students to develop improvisation skills without having to walk away from notation, whilst developing the necessary ideas needed to become more confident at improvisation.

Extra information

lessons are taught over SKYPE and Zoom and students will need their instruments. Pdf's can be sent out with each lesson on. A short course of 10 lessons to help move from no improvising skills, to becoming a more fluent thinker.

Location

Online from United Kingdom

About Me

I'm a fully qualified UK music instructor with over 25 years of experience. I am also a world-class professional musician. Although I take my music very seriously, I do make sure my lessons are fun and engaging.
I teach from beginner level right through to professional standards. Some of my pupils are working in the music industry as fellow professionals and others are also tutors. My approach is laid back and stress-free, whilst still maintaining high standards. Quite often my pupils haven't realized how much progress they've made until they play a difficult piece they wanted to master or a particular style and so on.
With being a performer I find that my passion for playing my instruments feeds back into my lessons and my enthusiasm is infectious!
I am in the process of writing a book on improvisation for beginners, which I hope to have ready around Oct 2020. These classes could help supplement the book. Most of all though ENJOY yourselves as music is an incredible gift, which can be passed on through performing and teaching.
I do help students, in particular with stage fright and overall confidence issues, and allow them to blossom into the musicians they deserve to become.

Education

University of Birmingham, Westbourne Rd Campus, Birmingham
Leeds College of Music, Leeds , United Kingdom
Nelson and Colne College, Barrowford , Nelson
Sedbergh School, Sedbergh, Cumbria

Experience / Qualifications

Postgraduate Certificate of Education - Secondary Music
Grad dip in Jazz, Pop and Classical music
A Level Music - Grade B

Age

Children (7-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Skills

Jazz music

Music composition

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Lou-Indigo

4.87

(87)

The course that I propose is BILINGUAL FRENCH / ENGLISH, as well as 2 BOOKS.

Age and musical taste are not restrictive when in the program, you can with qualitative daily work (not quantitative) quickly observe your progress.

Here the pleasure of playing music is put forward.

The kind of music you love most will be the focus of the course, their codes and secrets will be the focus of our study, that's what I want to share with you.

We can do technical lessons and simply learn together how to play one or more songs of your choice or mine, enrich your game with this approach and your repertoire!

(For example, We can re-arrange the pieces and make them more original by approaching the system (CAGED), and enriching their chords, resulting in new positions, new techniques and new sounds, using arpeggio techniques rather than strumming for 4-chord pieces, voicing and fingerstyle techniques, in short, expanding the instrument's playing fields and playing skills to keep progressing in your game and improve your rehearsals ...)

If you make a request, this program is obviously accompanied by the pleasure of learning more in theory and being able to directly apply new knowledge on its instrument and identify its common or rare use in the pieces discussed in class.

In this case, the theory is translated to be accessible to anyone, both for those who are connoisseurs and for those who discover everything from absolute zero.
The exercises, songs, and theoretical explanations offered throughout the program are organized in an order of progressive difficulty.

I wrote and produced 2 books of my method to learn the guitar and the music, that I sell to accompany my course and your apprenticeship in the best conditions and so that you can continue the course even at home and to review etc ... .
There is ONE BOOK OF COURSES containing all the theoretical and practical program of the year, as well as a BOOK OF EXERCISE on the ranges and the modes that you can obtain directly.

You can find here an indicative list of objectives that I propose in my theoretical program, which can of course adapt to your request.

The general theoretical objectives of the course:

--- Tuning / tuning and knowing his guitar:
* Standard Tuning
* Drop Tuning
* Open Tuning
* Adjust the optimal tension of the strings
* Adjust the shaft axis
* Adjust the action of the strings
* Choose the strings adapted to the style of play / tuning
* Change his strings

-Know his chords:
* Triads: Fundamental State & Inversions
* Tetrads: Fundamental State & Inversions
* The chord progressions of the Range
* Arpeggio techniques (tapping, sweep, 1/2/4 fing.shape, etc ...)

--- Know his scales and his modes

* The Mode of the Major scale
* 3 Modes of the Minor scale: Natural / Melodic / Harmonic
* Modes of the Pentatonic range: 5 positions
* Modes of the Blues range: 5 positions
Etc ...

--- Technique to the Pick / Plectrum / Tab / Pick (Electric Guitar):
* Alternate Picking
* Fast Picking / Tremolo Picking
* Hybrid Picking
* Palm Mute
* Natural Harmonics
* Pinch Harmonics
* Artificial Harmonics
* Shredding
* Tapping
* Sweep Picking
* Legato Picking

--- Strumming / Hand Picking (Acoustic Guitar)
* "SnareDrum" percussion on the guitar
* Arpeggios pinched with 4 fingers + thumb
* Rasgueado (Flamenco Technique)
* Generic Strumming
* Fingerstyle Picking
* Two-finger picking + Legato for fast melodies (eg a solo)

-Play the metronome
* exercises on click
* practice on song riffs

-Learn his favorite songs
* without thinking about the difficulty, nothing is impossible with the right methodology

-Improvise
* choose ranges and positions
* to place oneself rhythmically, to finish on the judicious notes

-Theory of Harmony
* Understand harmonization and its practice

-Theory on the Melody

-Theory of Rhythm

Ryo

4.87

(87)

Ukulele tuition from complete beginners to advanced. ✨
(Electric & Acoustic Guitar tuition is also available)💪🎸

"Any songs"
・Justin Bieber - As Long As You Love Me
・Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
・Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger, etc.

"Any Styles"
・Rock・Blues・ Jazz・Funk(Groove)・Classical Guitar etc.

"Whatever Licks and Other Techniques"
・Strumming patterns
・Hammer-ons
・Pull-offs
・Sheet Music
・Voice Training for the guitarist etc.

Lesson 1:
・Turning
・How to hold the guitar / Plectrum
・How to put your fingers in order
・Single note melodies etc.
Lesson 2:
・Open Chords
・Strumming patterns
・Guitar diagrams / Tab etc.

Lesson 3:
・Record your guitar playing
・Capo / transposing
・Power Chords, etc.

Lessons are always for students and will be tailored to you.
it's not brain surgery. it's going to be a lot of fun and move up to the next level.

I can travel to your house or you come to my place.
Also, Skype lessons would be available.

Any further questions, please feel free to ask.
Thanks for reading and look forward to working with you.
You can't afford to miss it!!

Meric

4.87

(87)

Hello! I am Meric jazz singer - musician - vocal coach and public speaking trainer.

If you want to train your ear and sing those fancy notes, there is always an easy way to do that. But of course practice is vital. This class requires basic musical skills. So be sure that you are able to repeat (sing) that you hear.

Mehrad

4.87

(87)

Dive into the world of bass mastery with my comprehensive lessons! From mastering the groove to honing technique, delving into theory, harmony, and rhythm, and even mastering music reading and fretboard note names, these sessions cover it all. Drawing from years of experience, I've finely tuned the curriculum to suit every learner, ensuring a paced and organized approach that guarantees progress. But beyond just playing notes, the ultimate aim is to empower you with the knowledge of how music truly works. Together, we'll unlock the secrets of crafting your own basslines and solos, fostering creativity and musical independence that extends far beyond the confines of any lesson.

Gema

4.87

(87)

The most important matter that I could write here about is my passion to teach. I've been teaching already for more than 10 years, from kids to adults. I'm a classical pianist, but I am opened to other musical styles. What I want you to get from your lessons with me, is not only a huge knowledge of theorical stuff or a great technique, I would like to show you my musical world, the imagination and inner exploration that is required to understand and to love music in a whole new level. Once you have found them, it will be very hard to quit playing!

The class duration: You can choose!
20 minutes (Great for the youngest : 3 years old)
30 minutes (Ideal for young beginners from 4 years old)
45 minutes (Intermediate+ adult beginners)
1 hour (Intermediate and combined with some Music Theory)

I use different methods depending on:
1) The goals of my student
2) The language that we will use on class
3) Age and musical preferences: I start to teach children from 3 years old, we make games and they learn to play through musical stories that I have created throughout my pedagogical career.

Jeremy

4.87

(87)

Hi, my name is Jeremy and I've played music for 19 years, having performed over 200 concerts and composed with a wide variety of groups and ensembles across England and Belgium in many genres (Funk, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Rock, Alternative, Punk and more). I have completed 3 years of intensive bass study at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and am currently playing bass plus backing-vocals and song arrangement for Kids of the Elephant and Arrubio.

In these lessons, I will help you reach your goals while having fun in the process, keeping the lessons structured and tailored to your personal needs. I have 5 years of experience helping students improve as well as specialist knowledge in a multitude of styles. Some examples of what you might learn include:

- Correct hand positioning & posture for best performance and faster learning.
- Learning your favorite songs quickly and easily.
- Breaking down rhythms & dynamics
- Understanding the role of bass playing in a band.
- Understanding what makes a good bassline and composing your own.
- Essential music theory for bass & more advanced techniques (eg: melodic techniques, rhythmic, slap bass, etc)
- How to improvise, jam and play with other musicians.

Appropriate homework/exercises and recordings are provided during lessons. I also like to give advice and direction for people with musical aspirations. I'm also an empathetic person that loves teaching, so don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Matteo

4.87

(87)

If you've been eager to get better in drums and therefore studying all its different styles and genres, I definitely can help you with that!
Particularly, I've studied in deep Tony Williams' and Elvin Jones' playing and the main drummers of the jazz era from the 50s to the 70s , so if you really want to improve that kind of vision and sound I can give you some great hints such as transcriptions, analysis, sound strategies and many video materials.
Also, I am specialized in Funk/Hip-Hop music and that kind of groovy world. So, I've been mastering a specific approach to this genre as well.

About me:
I've been playing drums since I was 6. I got my Master Degree in 2022 at Salerno Music Conservatory (Italy) in Jazz Drums and Percussion.
I've been doing the role of Assistant Professor at KCB with Stéphane Galland since 2023.

Since I moved to Belgium I had to chance to collaborate and sharing the stage at the moment with Manou Gallo, Zap MAMA, Stephane Mercier, David Linx and various others.

Steve

4.87

(87)

Composing your own music has always been a very rewarding task. This has never been so true as the present day when you can hear what you compose instantly if you use computers to generate and play back your own music. However, to ensure that your music sounds really great (whether using computers, manuscript or actual instruments) there are many principles to be considered.

I have had a great interest in composing for over 45 years. I have composed for various combinations of instruments and voices in a wide variety of styles. Having been a music teacher in a comprehensive school for over 30 years, I have had a lot of very relevant experience in teaching composition to a wide range of different ages and abilities. These opportunities have enabled me to tutor students in a diverse variety of genres.

The class will be personalized to your particular standard and chosen style of composition. We would focus on generic building blocks such as structure and instrumentation as well as looking at how to develop ideas. Using a range of compositional devices will also be key to enhancing your compositions. I will tailor-make the class to suit you.

David

4.87

(87)

I am a Spanish pianist and composer (MMus graduate from Codarts Rotterdam in both directions) with many years of teaching experience, and also very active in performing in various contexts.

I give private piano lessons for all levels and styles (classical, jazz, Latin, new age, pop...), as well as music theory, composition and improvisation lessons. My lessons are distinguished by their dynamics, practical approach and adaptation to the needs and interests of the student.

The lessons (live or online) take place in my studio next to the Maastunnel, where I have a premium stage piano and a top-quality webcam setup.

I speak Dutch at an intermediate level, which is improving every day.

Brent

4.87

(87)

Do you want to explore the world of (electronic) music production or take your skills to the next level? Whether you're a complete beginner or already have some experience, I can help you elevate your music production to new heights!

What I offer:
🎧 Music Theory & Sound Design: Discover how to create catchy melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. Learn sound design techniques, music theory, and tips & tricks to develop your own unique sound.
🎛️ FL Studio Expertise: Master the ins and outs of FL Studio (Fruity Loops) – from the basics to advanced techniques (VSTs, creating melodies, writing drum patterns, mixing, mastering, and more).
🎶 Work with Your DAW: Do you use a different program like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or Cubase? No problem! I adapt to your preferred software.
🎹 Practical & Accessible: No prior knowledge required! Everyone is welcome, whether you want to produce house, rap, techno, pop, or any other genre.

About the lessons:
- Personalized Guidance: Lessons are tailored to your needs and skill level.
Online and In-Person Options: Flexibility to choose the format that suits you best.
- Use of Professional Tools: You'll learn to work with professional tools, ensuring your tracks sound polished and ready for release.

What you need:
- A laptop/computer.
- Motivation to bring your musical vision to life!

Who am I?
Hey, I’m Brent! With over 8 years of experience in music production and a degree to back it up, I produce music under the name Pai Napple. You can find my tracks on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and more. I’ve garnered millions of streams and collaborated with well-known artists. My main genres are rap, pop, R&B, and EDM. I also sell music to other artists and for TV and film.

Interested?
Ready to start? Send me a message to learn more or book a lesson directly. Let’s kickstart your musical journey together! 🎶

Stephen

4.87

(87)

Are you stuck? I can help!

In our composition lessons, we’ll both learn how to get more from basic elements, like pitch and rhythm, and also the things we can do to help make a composition more poetic. We can work on how to get more music from fewer ideas to create a consistent musical language, and also explore the idea of opposites in your compositions, blending and smearing contrasting elements to add depth and complexity to your work.

Through the analysis of great music, the composition of miniatures, and feedback on your current projects, you’ll both increase your technical fluency and simultaneously learn to love and develop your unique voice. This class is for any level of composer, whether you're a beginner or an experienced composer seeking to enhance your creative skills. Don't wait any longer :)

Lucy

4.87

(87)

🎛️ Music Production Lessons & Creative Coaching 🎶

Want to learn how to create, record, and refine your own music in Logic Pro X? Whether you’re a complete beginner or already producing your own tracks, I offer online lessons and personalized production coaching to help you grow and elevate your sound.

If you’re just starting out, we’ll build a solid foundation:

- MIDI & audio basics
- Arrangement & structure
- Sound design & effects
- Vocal editing
- Mixing fundamentals
- Workflow tips & creative approaches

Already producing? Great — then I offer tailored production advice and feedback. You can bring in your tracks, questions, or challenges, and I’ll help you with:

- Song structure & dynamics
- Sound choices & layers
- Mix clarity & depth
- Artistic direction
- Developing your unique sonic identity

The sessions can be fully online or live, flexible, and built around your needs.

I combine my experience as a pop producer and artist with my background in classical music theory and a degree from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (Pop).

Whether you're starting from scratch or fine-tuning a nearly finished track — I’m here to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and creativity.

4.87

(87)

The rule is simple: don't be afraid to make a fool of yourself! Students are encouraged to try, fail, and overall be proactive in learning new information in bite-sized chunks: all of that in a warm and comforting environment.

Depending on the personal goal of the student, we will learn/refine/explore the following topics:
- Fundamental techniques of playing electric bass
- Understanding and coming up with a bassline
- What makes it groove?
- How to improvise: soloing and walking bass
- How to change the underlying harmonies of a song to make it sound cooler (or weirder!)
- Understanding how the musical elements are glued in a song, and if you dare, how to write one yourself
- How to learn music or play music by ear

Languages: English (fluent), German (B1 and improving), Korean (native)

Dominic

4.87

(87)

Hey there!

My name is Dominic, and I'll be providing you with everything you need to reach your musical goals, whichever those may be.

These lessons consist of piano tutoring, in which we can go over any style you may be interested in. I'll also be providing any sheet music and exercises you may need or I may think are necessary.

I'm currently a piano and music theory teacher at AMT, which is an institution near my hometown. I've got a full 8 year music course (mostly focused on classical piano), which I successfully completed in 2025. I've also got a year of music teaching experience on my shoulders, as well as plenty of experience helping younglings and less experienced musicians with any difficulties they may have had over the years.

I'm currently offering online lessons and lessons at your location, as I'm going to be moving soon. Once things have settled better, other options may open up.

Andrea

4.87

(87)

Do you need help preparing for the entrance exams for Intermediate or Advanced Level Jazz courses? Or are you looking for extra support in your modern music studies?
I'm Andrea, a specialized teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience. I offer:
– Intensive preparation for the theoretical part of entrance exams for intermediate and advanced levels of jazz and modern music
– Reinforcement in subjects such as musical language, modern harmony, arranging and composition
– Practical classes from day one, tailored to your needs
– Teaching materials and personalized follow-up with a teaching platform
My approach combines academic rigor with a relaxed atmosphere. I firmly believe that you can learn seriously without losing your passion for music. We will work on:
– The repertoire you need to master for your exams
– Harmonic and melodic analysis of standards, modern songs, large ensembles, etc. Or any style you need, 100% adaptability :)
– Development of musical ear
– Composition and arrangement techniques
– All from a practical and applied perspective.
If you're looking for a teacher who combines experience, professionalism, and a personal touch, I'd be delighted to help you on your musical journey. Don't hesitate to contact me for more information or to schedule your first lesson.
Availability for face-to-face classes in Barcelona and online.

If you like this approach, write to me! Learning music is an exciting journey, and I'd love to be your guide :)

Important! I combine classes with concerts and various musical projects. I appreciate occasional flexibility to reschedule (only when strictly necessary).

The schedule is for summer; it changes during the school year.