Improvisation in Language

In language, we communicate with each other through conversation. We ask questions, and we get answers. We offer a point of view, and someone agrees or disagrees. We ask for something, and someone tells us yes or no, and why. Although we can’t communicate specific information to each other in music, we can certainly have musical conversations, and convey underlying feelings or emotions through our expression. 

Same vs. Different

Up to this point, you have only echoed back patterns. Once we have learned a language, it would be silly if we had a conversation where we were simply echoing back what the other person said. In fact, that might infuriate your conversation partner.

But now that you know eight duple and eight triple rhythm patterns with macrobeats and microbeats, (and have the knowledge to make up your own!) you have something different to say. 

Watch the following video for an introduction to rhythmic improvisation:

After you have watched the video lesson, try the Patterns-Only videos in duple and triple meters: