Storytelling
A melody is like a sentence. An improvisation is like a story.
Somehow we have to logically connect phrases. But we don’t have lyrics at our disposal. So how?
FOR THAT, WE USE PATTERNS.
Patterns are easily detected by our brain. Thus also by the audience, the listener’s brain. Our brain is always scanning for patterns to predict the future. To protect us against potential future threats.
We’re going to use that to make engaging improvisations!
How to make a pattern
Do something.
Do it again.
How to break a pattern
Don’t do it again.
Do something else.
Examples?
Well, it it it it it really can be anything :)
- Repeating a note or a melodic phrase;
- repeating part of a melodic phrase;
- repeating part or the whole of the rhythm of the previous melodic phrase but with different notes;
- doing that literally or just the ‘shape’ of the melody (for example up a whole tone, down a semitone) or abstract: just ‘up and down’ (direction can become a pattern to, just like intensity/volume, increasing or decreasing, tempo/rhythm/volume, anything can become a pattern through repetition);
- etcetera.
Really, just repeat something and it becomes a pattern. The more you keep repeating it, the stronger the pattern becomes.
Then, when you stop repeating you break the pattern. This causes tension! Which causes the audience to pay attention!
Scales are patterns as well – if you follow them note by note up or down. How to break them? Add spice – a wrong note – or skip a few notes of the scale.
After breaking the pattern, start a new one. Perhaps on how you broke the pattern. Or something else completely.
Patterns are powerful tools. It’s because they feel/sound logical. In theory, you could do just about anything as long as it follows a pattern. Logic trumps all else in music.
