Building an improvisation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create an extended improvisation over the 12-bar blues chords.
Key learning points
- Blues is heavily improvised. Although improvisation is composing on the spot, it is not random.
- Musicians use the blues scale, typical blues rhythms and the 12-bar blues chord sequence to structure an improvisation.
- A successful improvisation often develops from an initial motif.
- We have performed an improvisation over the 12-bar blues chords on the keyboard.
Keywords
Improvisation - a section of music where the melodic ideas are made up on the spot
Structure - the different sections within a piece of music or how these sections are organised into phrases
Motif - a short musical idea that recurs throughout a piece of music
Common misconception
Improvisation means the notes are chosen at random.
Although improvising means making music up on the spot, it is based on a set of notes or scale and can use repetition. Improvisation often uses fixed stylistic characteristics such as particular rhythms, phrase structures and chord sequences.
Teacher tip
Improvising can be daunting, so suggesting ideas for musical starting points (rhythms and limiting the choice of notes) will help. The singing warm up in the addtional materials can be used to build confidence in reacting to musical instructions to a pulse before trying the improvisation activity.
Equipment
Keyboard instrument
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What musical symbol means the note is lowered by a semitone?
Q2.What name is given to the set of notes that gives blues its unique sound?
Q3.Which of these notes are in the C blues scale?
Q4.Which part of the hand should play the root note of the scale?
Q5.Which word means to create music or a musical idea in the moment?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.A is a short musical idea that often recurs throughout a piece of music.
Q2.Improvisation in blues music uses the scale.
Q3.How many bars is a typical blues improvisation structured around?
Q4.In most blues improvisations on the keyboard, which hand plays the improvisation?
Q5.Which of these notes is the odd one out? C Eb F Gb G A Bb
To help you plan your 8 music lesson on: Building an improvisation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 music lesson on: Building an improvisation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 music lessons from the The 12-bar blues unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.