Breakthrough to Improv: The Secrets of Improvisation

Breakthrough to Improv: The Secrets of Improvisation is intended for players of all instruments as a way to break through to the creative approach to playing music. Hosted by Berklee professor Dave Frank, author of Hal Leonard's popular Joy of Improv series, this video course outlines a unique step-by-step series of “practice points” designed to guide you effortlessly into the process of improvisation.

Preparation for Improv

• Introduction (02:06) - In this first video, Dave Frank welcomes us to the course.

• The Blues Progression (04:15) - Dave shows us a Blues progression.

• The Blues Scale (04:26) - Dave teaches us the Blues scale.

• Repeating/Alternating Riffs (03:34) - In this video, Dave discusses repeating and alternating riffs.

• Free Placement of Riffs (02:49) - Dave shares his thoughts on the free placement of riffs.

Improv Concepts

• Improvising with Quarter Note Riffs (02:50) - In this video, Dave talks about using quarter note riffs in improvisation.

• Improvising Swing Eighth Note Riffs (04:21) - Dave talks about using swing eighth note riffs in improvisation.

• Extending the Eighth Note Melodic Lines (04:15) - Dave discusses extending eighth note melodic lines.

• Combining Short Riffs & Long Melodic Lines (03:15) - In this video, Dave talks about combining short riffs and using long melodic lines.

• The Question-Answer Approach (06:20) - Learn about the "Question-Answer Approach".

• Adding Eighth Note Triplets (03:40) - Dave discusses adding eighth note triplets in your improv.

• Creating Double-Time Sixteenth Note Melodic Lines (02:33) - Dave shares his thoughts on creating double-time sixteenth note melodic lines.

• Review & Basic Guidelines for Improvisation (04:40) - In this video, Dave reviews what we have learned and shares some guidelines for improvisation.

• Putting It All Together (07:06) - Dave shows us how to put everything we have learned together.