Spreading the Transforming Power of Improvisation

Using Improv with songwriting and guitar

Hi All
Firstly ... my Theme for 2008 is to "Be Average" and "Do Something" and already I have written 3 new songs and laid down chords and arrangement for a second guitar.

So, with music in mind ... I enter my consulting world of facilitation. I have often thought to myself when facilitating, "I wish I had my guitar right now!" I sometimes wish I could help a group get the "core" ... the "essence" ... the stuff that matters most using the creative half of the brain.

To my question. Can anyone point to Improv games that involve the use of an instrument (eg. guitar) and/or bringing together words that could create the basis of a simple song ... like a 12 bar blues arrangement?

Gratefully Yours

Geoff

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Permalink Reply by Jodi Cohen on February 6, 2008 at 4:07pm: i love the idea of you bringing your guitar! yes.

sometimes i've had folks sing the 'i want what you've got' blue. or variations in between. just acapella, making up lyrics. there's something liberating about making up songs with lyrics that seem outrageous or goofy or that take something serious and put it to music: i hate cold calling, etc...

i also introduce singing as a way to get to breathing, which helps people manage tension and stress. i 've had folks simultaneously wander around the room singing what's bothering them, what they're afraid of, etc... it's very silly and funny and it interrupts the seriousness of our fears, etc. i've also had people do opera and sing about pro vs con on certain topics. if people are given permission to sing off key and wrong and badly, then they're fine. another singing game: i have signs with different styles of music on each sign, in big letters. i invite the group to sing a song they all know and i flash the signs throughout the song, so they have to change styles along the way. it gets people moving and grooving. i've heard 'row row row your boat/ as reggae, scat and heavy metal.

if there's conflict, having people sing their side of the story. as an opera or a musical. again, interrupting how seriously we take ourselves and our dilemmas.

good luck and keep us/me posted!
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Permalink Reply by Geoff Brown on February 6, 2008 at 4:32pm: Hi Jodi

This is just what I am looking for! I have always pushed the boundaries into creative, action methods with even the very conservative groups. We are all human after all and everyone (deep down) would love to have permission to sing. I like the structure you have placed around some of these examples!

Warmest Regards

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