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Keynsham Workshop

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August 2006

On the 5th of September, 2006, I held a half-day workshop for Bath and NE Somerset Music Service at The Somerdale Lodge, Fry Club & Conference Centre, Somerdale, Keynsham, UK. The focus was on The Easiest Way to Improvise; but, while the book is aimed specifically at pianists, the workshop catered for all instrumentalists. 37 instrumental teachers attended.

The venue was right next to the Cadbury’s factory, and a trip to the chocolate shop was part of the itinerary!

The first part of the workshop was a quick overview of materials, with quite a bit of playing from the participants. I was pleased to be able to include some of “world premieres”: Nobody Knows from the forthcoming Christopher Norton Concert Collection for Flute, and Intercity Stomp in its new “clarinet and piano” guise.

I tried to emphasise how to use the material in various ways, demonstrating how to adapt pieces for different instrumental combinations, how to create clapping games and singing games based on the pieces, etc. I went through the three main style categories found in my music—rock (encompassing rock’n’roll and boogie) jazz and Latin— and played examples of each, with lots of help from the teachers.

The second part of was dedicated to ensemble playing, again in each style category: Train Blues (rock); In the Bag (jazz); Tip Top (calypso) and Beach Front (rhumba). The group made a great sound, with all instrumental groups covered, except for percussion and bass.

We did some off-the-cuff improvisation, too, some of it sung. It was highly effective for one person sing a phrase, and for the whole group to sing it back.

Finally, I gave a quick demonstration, based on a chapter from The Easiest Way To Improvise. The teachers were enthusiastic and happy to participate and we all had a good time—it will be interesting to see how they get on with the materials back at the coal face!

CN
6th September 2006
Leeds, UK