An easy approach to improvisation in the classroom or at home

Improvisation and composition don’t have to be complicated or lonely! Composer Signe Lykke wrote a solo in the piece, Rain, that uses only three notes, varying other elements of music (such as tempo, dynamics and rhythm) to create musical interest.

This demonstration shows how students can use three notes to improvise freely and in the safety of numbers, using classroom instruments tuned to the pentatonic scale and taking inspiration from a selection of pre-prepared cards. Extend this activity by creating a simple rhythmic accompaniment, deciding on a structure, increasing the complexity of their options, encouraging solos or using graphic notation to create a three note composition.

Music outcomes

F- 2

Sing and play instruments to improvise, practise a repertoire of chants, songs and rhymes, including songs used by cultural groups in the community

3 - 4

Develop aural skills by exploring, imitating and recognising elements of music including dynamics, pitch and rhythm patterns

Practise singing, playing instruments and improvising music, using elements of music including rhythm, pitch, dynamics and form in a range of pieces, including in music from the local community

5 - 6 

Explore dynamics and expression, using aural skills to identify and perform rhythm and pitch patterns

Develop technical and expressive skills in singing and playing instruments with understanding of rhythm, pitch and form in a range of pieces, including in music from the community

7 - 8

Develop musical ideas, such as mood, by improvising, combining and manipulating the elements of music 

Want more?

This is an example of the teaching resources you will receive when booking Musica Viva In Schools program, The Air I Breathe.

Find out more about Musica Viva In Schools.