Norton's revolutionary approach brings improvisation within the reach of all
(March 2005)
Many people have always wanted to improvise, but are unsure how to start.
Improvisation can seem daunting to classically-trained musicians, who can feel lost without written music to follow. Now a revolutionary new series brings improvisation within the reach of all players and teachers, even beginners: and there is no-one better to write it than Christopher Norton, a composer with an unrivalled reputation for writing and teaching popular styles.
Designed for teachers and players with little or no experience in this area, The Easiest Way to Improvise promises a new and truly easy approach! This simple step-by-step process demystifies the techniques of keyboard improvisation.
Using popular pieces from his best-selling Microjazz series as a starting-point, Christopher Norton reveals the "magic move" that will really transform your "doodlings" into fully-fledged performances.
Fully supported by attractive, stimulating CD backings, each chapter teaches some simple left-hand chords, then the right-hand melody of the original piece. Putting both hands together, It then reveals some simple, effective ways of using the notes of a melody to improvise, gradually building rich and idiomatic harmonies by the simplest of means. Written-out examples are given at each stage, and there’s even space to write your own ideas down!
Finally, there’s a sample solo to learn (either from the music, by ear, or a mixture of the two) which leads to the chance to do some soloing round the chords. The CD also includes a chance to hear the band playing jam versions of some of the pieces!
It’s as easy as that. This is truly The Easiest Way to Improvise!
Born in New Zealand in 1953, Christopher Norton came to England in 1977 on a University Scholarship to study composition at York University with Wilfred Mellers and David Blake. He is well-established as a composer, producer, arranger and educator, and has written stage musicals, ballet scores, piano music, popular songs and orchestral music, as well as jingles and signature tunes for TV and radio. He is best known for his world famous series Microjazz — easy graded pieces in modern styles such as blues, rock ‘n’ roll, reggae and jazz — and for his award-winning Essential Guides to Pop Styles, Latin Styles and Jazz Styles.
> Further information on series: Easiest Way to Improvise
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