Improvisation using technology tools

Michael Baker Brown

Technology Assisted Music Learning

Dr. Bazan

Thinking on your feet, being one-step ahead, acting and reacting are all forms of improvisation. Music improvisation is making knowledgeable musical decisions in real time.  Some think that improvisation is something people are born with, a natural talent.  However, I do not believe that to be the case.  According to Kratus improvisation is a concept that can be learned.  He describes a seven-level process to develop improvisation: Exploration, Process-oriented improvisation, Product-oriented improvisation, Fluid improvisation, Structural improvisation, Stylistic improvisation, and Personal improvisation. By focusing on each of these levels an individual move to become more inclined to improvise in music.  Other authors do agree with Kratus and say that along with these levels, aural skills, knowledge and skill, performance experience, and courage must be acquired to be successful in improvisation.    

While my main musical focus is voice through a public education choral program, I know there are many students who do not take music classes beyond general music education.  The two main music educational avenues my students have are either band or choir.  In my approximately 2300 7A Arkansas student population school, I we have approximately 500-600 students involved in our music program.  That still leaves a large amount of students that are not involved in a music class.  Even though these students are not involved in music classes, I would dare say that music is still a large part of their lives.  As written earlier, the students who are not involved in music may be because they do not have the proper tools, training, and expertise as the students who stayed continuously involved.  This is where technology can step in and be used as a tool to help students create, improvise, perform, and compose music. 

This week I dove into new music technologies MuseScore and NoteFlight.  They are great programs that the students could use to aid them in their musical endeavors.  They both have versions that are free, and they come with great tutorial guides.  These are programs that could currently use with my choral students, and could aid students all students in different musical ideas and endeavors.  Technology is growing all around us, and educators must find ways to use it to benefit all students. 

Bauer, W. I. (2014). Music learning today: Digital pedagogy for creating, performing, and responding to music. New York City: Oxford University Press.