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Introduction

Overview

Improvisation is a platform for social diversity in the musicianship classroom that is inclusive of varying student abilities and musical interests. It is an invaluable tool in the presentation, retention and evaluation of musical skills acquisition because it is both a mode of learning and the thing that is itself learned. In the process, improvisation pedagogies build student confidence within and beyond the subject matter at hand because the improvised moment is experienced as the incarnation of an idea that is transformed into a technique.

Eureka is offered as an assist for faculty in the use of improvisation toward those goals in the Ear Training classroom at Columbia. The guidebook is organized into three parts:

  1. Improvisation Types — definitions of improvisation concepts that are used to structure improvisations.
  2. Ear Training Level — a catalog of improvisation techniques, organized by ear training level and elements of music.
  3. Layering — suggestions for how to combine different types of improvisations as a “layering” of materials.

Videos are also available that demonstrate how to lead musicianship improvisations based on Eureka content.

Self-Assessment

Successful use of eureka is experienced when there is a sense of musical camaraderie between the teacher and students, and amongst the students as well. This is measured in each ear training level by the increased confidence of the teacher in balancing the needs of the curriculum, the group, and individual students. This confidence is demonstrated by agile problem solving with the spontaneous use of any number of the improvisation concepts offered by the guidebook.

Checklist

As a faculty, you will need your students in the growth of their ear training abilities through the use of improvisation. Throughout the semester, assess your classroom improvisation skills using the following checklist.

I am comfortable in my ability to do the following:

  • Set up in and out of tempo improvisations. Select a musical element and improvise with it using all improvisation types.
  • Diagnose a specific musical need and couple it with an improvisation activity.
  • Respond to student questions regarding improvisation types.
  • Develop your students ability to respond to improvisation prompts, from imitating prompts to altering prompts with other music elements or improvisation types.
  • Involve the whole class in a single improvisation.
  • Empower students to lead improvisation.