Play-Along Zoom Mini-Workshop
Improvise with Confidence & overcome the fear of playing "wrong" notes
Choose Your Time/Day:
THURSDAY October 19 12 pm EST
SATURDAY October 21, 7:30 pm
- What you’ll gain:
⚫ THREE approaches to improvisation that can work for you immediately. I’ll share the exact exercises that have helped my students get past playing prescribed parts to making music in varied and creative ways. You’ll PLAY, improvising, muted, throughout the class.
⚫ Discover the difference between “learning harmony” and “doing improvisation”. By separating the two, we will end frustration and overwhelm, redesigning your practice routine for efficiency, enjoyment, and progress.
⚫ Groove cheat codes. Harmony Cheat Codes. Improvisation Cheat Codes.
Bonus: templates and step by step worksheets to take away so you can replicate the process with songs in almost any style.
****Traditional practice methods, while useful, can lead to feeling unmotivated and self-critical.
Many musicians tell me they hesitate to play publicly, or in front of family or students.
It doesn’t need to be that way. A healthy practice builds self-awareness and acceptance. The ideal outcome of any practice is to become a better friend to yourself.
This is why the guided exercises I provide you will be similar to Yoga in that they promote mindfulness and enjoyment.
Experience key parts of my method that have helped hundreds of my adult students go past their perceived musical limits, and enjoy a rigorous practice session in good company.
Pay here via Paypal or Credit Cara
All attendees will receive bonus resources and be able to ask questions and observe mini 1-1 coachings during the Q&A following class.
YOU'LL PLAY AND IMPROVISE (MUTED) THroughout
VARIOUS STYLES
Gain skills that can be Universally applied across almost ANY style.
ACCESSIBLE TO ALL LEVELS
Play with clear prompts/guidance throughout the class.
CHALLENGING FOR ADVANCED
No theory or experience with improvisation required.
Hear from my students
★★★★★ 5/5
"This is really fabulous! I am very very admiring of the entire package: all technical, theoretical, pedagogical foundations. And Chris’ positivity and optimism is wonderful!"
"Thanks for the Ideas, the interaction, and the peptalk. Chris is among the coolest of beans. Not because he plays so well, but because he concern himself with building bridges for others to cross over. These are things that remain and give and then give again."
"Christian’s clear approach opened my understanding of how to navigate the violin, but it can also be applied to any chordal instrument and even to thoughtful, intentional development of lines on single-voice, melodic instruments, including human voice. Much fun! I am grateful! TY!"
"I really appreciated the tangible exercises to focus on, allowing me to grow. Now I know what to practice & I feel more confident about doing it."
" You gave me the essential keys to understand how to improvise. And especially to dare to play, even if we don't know anything about jazz. Everything you shared with us was clear and practical, I know what I have to work on and how I can practice. Thanks for your passion and the way you convey your knowledge and your experiences. "
"Thank you for this amazing journey on improvisation and creativity. I believe I have material I can practice on for the next 10 years!"
"I'm so happy and relieved to have found a teacher that understands the frustrations of coming from a rigid classical background, and more importantly one who knows a way out into a wider world!!"
"The highly organized musical plan of being able to understand & play improvisational music with feeling was both highly inspiring and challenging"
"Christian Howes provides a much needed bridge to classically trained musicians and others who want to expand their playing and play within a more creative context.Bravo!"
Save your spot
how to improvise without knowing a ton of licks or tunes.
- Tonal and non-tonal
- Grooves and vamps
- Solo or in ensembles
So you can
- Play creatively with skills you currently have
- Accept yourself with every note you play
Gain strategies to Practice more Effectively:
- Save time by integrating harmony, improv, rhythm, & technique.
Internalize harmony on your instrument:
- Follow and remember chord progressions to tunes
- Create your own accompaniments or arrangements
- Make covers, acapellas, loops; collaborate, and jam
Teachers:
- Foster a Jamming culture
- Promote lifelong learning
- Support SEL and diversity
Professionals and Amateur Players
- Get off the sidelines
- Get gigs or opportunities
- s
Feedback from Players and teachers
★★★★★ 5/5
"This is really fabulous! I am very very admiring of the entire package: all technical, theoretical, pedagogical foundations. And Chris’ positivity and optimismis wonderful!"
"Thanks for the Ideas, the interaction, and the peptalk. Chris is among the coolest of beans. Not because he plays so well, but because he concerns himself with building bridges for others to cross over. These are things that remain and give and then give again."
"Christian’s clear approach opened my understanding of how to navigate the violin, but it can also be applied to any chordal instrument and even to thoughtful, intentional development of lines on single-voice, melodic instruments. Much fun! I am grateful! TY!"
"I really appreciated the tangible exercises to focus on, allowing me to grow. Now, I know what to practice & I feel more confident about doing it."
" You gave me the essential keys to understand how to improvise. And especially to dare to play, even if we don't know anything about jazz. Everything you shared with us was clear and practical, I know what I have to work on and how I can practice. Thanks for your passion and the way you convey your knowledge and your experiences. "
"Thank you for this amazing journey on improvisation and creativity!"
"I'm so happy and relieved to have found a teacher that understands the frustrations of coming from a rigid classical background, and more importantly one who knows a way out into a wider world!!"
"The highly organized musical plan of being able to understand & play improvisational music with feeling was both highly inspiring and challenging"
"Christian Howes provides a much needed bridge to classically trained musicians and others who want to expand their playing and play within a more creative context.Bravo!"
Class Structure
- 75-90 minutes: Play along, muted, with my prompts. You will go through several exercises with clear instructions and guidance.
- 45 minutess: mini-1-1 coaching for the first 15 who sign up. Open to all to observe. Q and A open to all.
- Take a sneak peek at the Pre-Party Guidebook
FAQ
I will teach you skills you can apply universally in any style of music. Harmony, improvisation, groove, arrangement, and accompaniment apply in all styles, and you are going to get the cheat codes:)
Yes. I teach group classes like YOGA classes in the sense that every participant is offered modified exercises to their level. Everyone will be sufficiently challenged and everyone will be able to participate.
With Clear method and structure, it’s never too late to learn skills. Often the hobbyist players in my classes keep up with or outpace the professional experts, because they are open.
- Understand music in new ways
- Develop more efficient & effective practice strategies
- Find More enjoyment in your practice with Less self-judgement, overwhelm, and procrastination or boredom. If you’re passionate about music, I expect this to be transformative for you.