|
|
|
|
While it probably doesn't seem like this would help - let's face it - if you are unwilling to play a lot of wrong notes, you're never going to learn how to do anything hard. And improvising is hard! It isn't something that you can do safely, with the assurance that you will look good while trying to get good at it. You won't look good. You won't sound good -- and the sooner you realize this, the sooner you will be able to do something of real value.
Strangely, we are from a culture that reinforces the idea that we should always look good. I mean there are actually people who think you should look good when you're sick. When you get up in the middle of the night. Or when you haven't slept for 36 hours.
Get the picture?
So, now that that's said - what is the best strategy for playing wrong notes and actually making progress at the same time?
De-emphasizing Note Values
I have found that the best way to start is by de-emphasizing note values - focussing instead upon rhythm, texture, density and shape. Music is way more than just the notes you play, and note selection tends to be the very thing that stops people in their tracks. Thus, my "Wrong Note Strategy."
The following are possible points of departure for playing wrong notes - properly:
Melodic Shape - Conceptualize a melody - don't get too specific with notes, but think only in terms of the overall shape of the line. Does it go up? Does it climb? Does it jump? If you have a hard time, try creating a melody on your instrument that is shaped like something else. I think it was John Cage (a rather famous composer) that used the New York skyline as the basis for a piece of music. My vote is, if John Cage can do it, we can too.
Density - Think about density. Are there a lot of notes all close together? Or are they spaced wide apart? Density shape is determined by where there is little space between notes, and where there is a lot of space. It is applicable melodically, harmonically and rythmically. I think there are even methods of encoding data that use this approach (can't remember the name of it). I figure, if it's OK for Intel to use this concept for data, I think it's OK for us to use it too.
Rhythm - What about a rhythmic approach? What if note values were totally unimportant, and we thought only percussively about the music? Like using blocks of notes - dissonances as though playing drums with the keyboard (or whatever)? It seems to have worked for legions of 20th Century composers, so why not for us?
Texture - How about making sounds - funny sounds - on our instrument? I remember working with a violinist from the LA Philharmonic, who told me she couldn't improvise. I asked if she could make noises. She said, "Oh sure! I like making really funny noises like this; and this; and this." We proceeded to "play funny sounds" for the next hour and a half, experimenting with all sorts of melody, harmony, rhythm and texture - coming up with some really beautiful stuff, after which she asked, "was that improvising?" I said, it sure was, and she was totally changed by the experience.
I love that story, because it really shows that all we really need is permission to play "wrong" notes. Once we are willing to do that, then we can experiment - often on a very high level - with the vital textural, rhythmic, shape and density aspects of music.
It still communicates, it's genuinely creative, and it really is music.
So play some wrong notes today!
©2000-2005 Ben Dowling, the author of "The Metaphysics of Improvisation" - is a pianist, composer and an authority on music improvisation and publishes Music-Improv.com, a web site that provides useful paradigms and practices for musicians interested in expanding their ability to improvise. Learn more about "The Metaphysics of Improvisation" and "The Music Continuum" by visiting http://www.music-improv.com
 CTV.ca | Will the American Music Awards win the youth vote? Los Angeles Times, CA - By Geoff Boucher At rehearsals this week for the 36th Annual American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre, one of the key executives for the show gushed that ... Performances pack American Music Awards show in Los Angeles Britney Spears to Perform at Sunday's American Music Awards? Britney's surprise appearance at AMA |
 Canada.com | Why the new Zune Pass should be irresistible ZDNet - The music industry has been stumbling and bumbling with subscription-based music services for years, and I’ve been experimenting with them since the very ... Microsoft Ups the Ante on Zune Downloads Microsoft Announces New Zune Pass Music Subscription Model Microsoft lets Zune music subscribers keep tunes |
 New York Times | Movement Mostly Minimal, With Music to Match New York Times, United States - I thought, “Couldn’t I at least listen to some music while I watch this?” Then we did hear music (drumming with rhythms far more complex than any of the ... |
'Music Center or bust!' by train and bus Los Angeles Times, CA - One of the truly Sisyphean tasks of LA living is trying to get to the Music Center from the so-near-but-oh-so-far Metro Red Line subway station. ... Classical Music/Opera Listings |
 ABC News | Julianne Hough Wants To Focus On Her Music Career. kypost.com, KY - She tells Ryan Seacrest that she really wants to focus on her music and "be taken seriously." She says it's hard to be on "Dancing With The Stars" and be ... Julianne Hough 'Dancing' no more Julianne Hough Hangs Up Her Dancing Shoes `DWTS' pro Julianne Hough won't return next season |
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra delivers audience-friendly 20th ... Dallas Morning News, TX - By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News FORT WORTH – The mere mention of the words "20th century music," sadly, will send many a concertgoer fleeing for ... |
 Sportinglife.com | Jets-Titans offer early AFC showdown in Music City The Associated Press - NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans feel they aren't getting the attention and respect that usually go with a 10-0 start. ... 100 Words: Jets (7-3) at Titans (10-0) The View from the Cheap Seats |
Music review: Fiery finale for Guarneri Quartet San Francisco Chronicle, USA - In the potent performance of the Mendelssohn Octet that occupied the second half of the program, a listener could witness the mantle of chamber-music ... West Coast premiere of Salonen composition, canceled at OCPAC ... |
 United Press International | Kanye West's new album to debut on MySpace Music The Associated Press - NEW YORK (AP) — Add Kanye West to the list of artists previewing their new CDs on MySpace Music. The 31-year-old rapper's "808s & Heartbreak" doesn't come ... Kanye West examines real vs. fake, puppet vs. human on '808s and ... Kanye West: 808s and Heartbreak Kanye West's "808's & Heartbreak" album covers |
MySpace Music to name Courtney Holt chief next week CNET News, CA - Courtney Holt, an MTV executive, will be named as president of MySpace Music, possibly as early as Monday, according to a source close to the company. ... MyTunes: from 45s to MP3s |
| Top of Page home Bookmark Us Now ctrl+d 1st 4 Music, shopping via 1st4music cost no more than going direct and can often save you money with special offers. with questions or comments about this website |