When Michael Pollock asked me to tackle the subject of common mistakes to avoid in musical improv, hundreds popped up, so I waited four months or so. Once I’d paid off my Christmas mistakes and had gotten used to the world’s cutest puppy, I finally had some time to just sit with the laptop. So I posted a bunch of high school pictures on Facebook. After that, I dawdled, did some shows and ate a pizza. Finally, I got off my ass and focused on good sir Michael’s request and came up with this:
Around the city of Los
Continue reading Five Conceptual Mistakes
This is an example of excitingly organic musical improv expertly tempered with solid technique to create a well-organized, theatrical piece. The sections are very clear:
A “preamble,” during which Lani fishes for a catchy idea that she can turn into a chorus. Then the “chorus” materializes, followed by A “spoken interlude” which launches cleanly into the recurrence of that chorus. A “bridge” section comes along and takes us climactically RIGHT back into a final section, the chorus. This time around, the chorus becomes a soaring conclusion to the song. Overall, it’s no particular “song form” or formula; it’s just
Continue reading Great Use of a Chorus in an Improvised Song
Getting Suggestions from the Audience
You need something to sing about, something to launch a song. The audience is going to give it to you. Here are sample questions you can use to get suggestions from them:
What’s a good reason to burst into song? What’s a word that begins with the letter T (any letter)? What’s the last thing you bought at a convenience store? What’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to you? How about some advice your mother gave you? Give us a natural phenomenon, like rain, or the Grand Canyon. What’s something that makes you
Continue reading That Reminds Me of a Song…
This book uses clear, everyday language to clarify each element of an improvised song. Simple building blocks are combined with performance tips to bring your musical improvisation to its highest level.
The included CD provides 47 tracks of examples, exercises and practice accompaniments, featuring the author at the piano and cast members from Improv Olympic West’s Opening Night: The Improvised Musical.
Improvise a solo based on any audience suggestion Create a song in any musical style Play musical improv games with expertise Perform in duets, trios, quartets and ensemble numbers
Listen to samples from the included CD: Backup vocals
Continue reading Musical Improv Comedy: Creating Songs in the Moment
Clear, friendly explanations and recorded examples introduce each musical principle and encourage individual creativity. Masteryear Publishing is proud to present this guide to musical skills long considered mysterious and practically unteachable.
Step by step, author Michael Pollock explains the thinking process behind comedy accompaniment and musical direction in clear, simple language. Each concept is illustrated by audio examples, featuring actors from The Second City Los Angeles and Michael at the keys.
The best comedy troupes in the world have live keyboardists. The musicians who can provide this kind of expert accompaniment and direction are relatively rare. Want to
Continue reading Musical Direction for Improv and Sketch Comedy
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How to Write Funny Lyrics: The Comedy Songwriting Manual
From concept to finished product, this unique guide shows the way to create lyrics that make audiences laugh. Clear, friendly style of instruction is entertaining and easy to understand.
It was written expressly for comedy writers who need to know how to build solidly-crafted lyrics that any composer can readily set to music. It also explains exactly how to proceed if you’re not already a comedy expert.
This is a cool gift for any aspiring or professional songwriter, and an unusual addition to any lyricist’s library.
Below is the table of contents and an excerpt of the book
Chapter
Continue reading How to Write Funny Lyrics: The Comedy Songwriting Manual
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