Here’s a track you can use for rehearsal and/or performance of a 12-bar blues song, plus a chart in case you have a live accompanist on keyboard or guitar! It’s from the CD that comes with the book, “Musical Direction for Improv and Sketch Comedy.” The 12-bar blues is a great platform for improvising both the singing and the accompaniment – lots of room for vocal and instrumental fun, using a framework that is so easy to learn.
Continue reading The Twelve-Bar Blues – Including an Audio Track and a Chart
A covert tactic is, obviously, a secret one. Also please note that a covert tactic can have good or bad intentions. One might do something covertly tactical in an effort to do someone a favor, like sneakily prepare gourmet low-cal meals for a person who needs to lose weight, while making sure that they don’t SEEM low-cal. Or one may intend harm and lead someone into a trap with BAAAAD advice disguised as good.
Continue reading The Concept of “Song as Covert Tactic”
Some students are natural poets or experienced songwriters, which is a great boon to our cause. Others are completely inexperienced, but learn fast and end up contributing effectively. Second City conservatory students are sharp cookies, naturally.
Continue reading Collaborative Comedy Songwriting: "Craigslist Rocks"
I think it’s particularly hilarious when improvisers do a truly heartfelt pop ballad, bound to contain deliciously-absurd lyrics. Here’s another track and chart from “Musical Direction for Improv and Sketch Comedy” that I hope you’ll enjoy using for any accompaniment purpose you wish – you can learn the roadmap of the music and improvise complete songs to match, or just play around and sing to the music in bits and pieces. The possibilities for melody-creation are vast and this is a style that every improv singer should have in his or her repertoire.
Continue reading Pop Ballad – Including Audio Track and a Chart
Want to read some smart stuff? I recommend this blog about music for improvised theatre. Why should I be the only one having a wonderful time delving through this author’s many posts? He is improv accompanist “Kris,” based in Australia, who writes very readably about various experiences, challenges and methodology relevant to musical improv, including links to recordings from performances. Kris definitely knows what he’s talking about and has the kind of friendly, conversational writing ability I admire.
Continue reading Hot Spot from Down Under!
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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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