online improvisation course-free

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For details go here:
https://www.coursera.org/course/improvisation

I did it once already and it helped, I'm signed up again.

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True about no chords, but since it's open for all instruments they had to take that route.
I really like Gary Burton's approach and philosophy to jazz improvising though.

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ahh, of course.

What I like about his teaching is focus on story telling, not relying on licks which he likens to learning a new language using a phrase book; you'll sound like you can speak it but you can't have a meaningful conversation.
He also puts a listener in the forefront which many, in jazz world especially, forget.

I remember him talking about importance of being aware of chord tones somewhere along the way, but yes a lot of it was about being able to choose the right scale for the chord; major, minor or dominant.

In any case even if deep knowledge of scales and modes isn't a most defining aspect of gypsy jazz, going through the course can only help and other concepts are applicable in any music improvising situation.

Actually if someone is reading this and wondering about what is this course about, it roughly goes like this:

-week 1: relationship between music and spoken language and story telling, analyzing the song for purpose of improvisation
-week 2: learning scales, most important scales and modes, using chord scales
-week 3: choosing correct scales; major, minor and dominant
-week 4: harmonic motion, guide tones
-week 5: theme, variation, musical sentences and unfolding of a story

The course is illustrated by videos from Gary Burton and assignments that are peer reviewed. It's a good course to take for both novices and experienced.
Novice students will have a lot to work on and learn. Experienced students will, even if there wasn't any new knowledge, at least be forced to think about and analyze their approach and bring light to their own music understanding and interpretation.

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