Looking to hone your music improvisation chops? Or, perhaps, discover them for the first time? 

On Saturday, Feb. 26, the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and the Arts (MCMA) presents an improvisation workshop with pianist and instructor Carter Graham. 

 

A blues-style player informed by his love of jazz, bebop, soul and pop music, Graham credits a trip to the now-defunct Brandon Jazz Festival in grade 7 with first inspiring his move away from classical.

“I think what might have been appealing — whether I knew it or not at the time — was the fact that it offered another way to play music,” says Graham. In addition to the collaborative aspect of ensemble playing, it also helped him explore music in a way he hadn’t as a classical player. 

“To me, it was a sort of liberation from the page,” reflects Graham, who still regularly works through the classical repertoire. 

Exploring the world of music improvisation is a way to better understand why certain technical exercises are important, according to Graham.

A rudimentary knowledge of scales is encouraged — though not entirely necessary — for the MCMA workshop. “Just so we can have the conversation around how do we approach improvising… it speeds up the process,” says Graham, who notes that a “good ear” goes a long way, too. 

All instruments are welcome as participants work through melodic, harmonic and rhythmic music improvisation. 

For those who might be hesitant to go off-copy, Graham encourages them to experiment and break out of their comfort zone. “Tell yourself that you can and go ahead and try it,” he says. “You might surprise yourself.” 

The workshop cost is $35. Register online at: www.mcma.ca