Tuesday, January 9th, 2024.
Hey, it’s TJ Miller, “You want some game?” Let's #tipundathehat!
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Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. This week's Amazon feature is KSam.
Improv & Ad libs - Let’s Geaux -
Improv, ad-libs, Freestyle, off the Top of Dome, anything you want to call it, it’s all spontaneous musical expression without prior preparation.
Improvisation can be done by a single musician or by a group of musicians. It can be done in any genre of music, but it is most common in jazz, blues, folk music, R&B, Pop, Rock and Electronic. Pretty much everything except classical.
There are many different types of improvisation. Some of the most common types include:
- Free improvisation: This type of improvisation is completely spontaneous. There are no rules or restrictions, and the musicians are free to create whatever they want. https://youtu.be/yzZrB2-yc-A?si=MLsnQEUtDA11ztFx
- Guided improvisation: This type of improvisation is based on a set of guidelines or rules. The musicians may be given a melody, a chord progression, or a rhythm to work with. https://youtu.be/0HIojqqkTzQ?si=q7OqApPuF5rahEfX
- Collaborative/Collective improvisation: This type of improvisation involves two or more musicians working together to create a piece of music. The musicians may take turns improvising, or they may improvise together. https://youtu.be/EadpcjMB_2s?si=YjCd6uvjd8Kw0uUt
- Freestyle: Freestyle rap is a form of rap music in which the artist creates lyrics and rhymes spontaneously, without any prior preparation. It is often done in a live setting, such as in a club, concert, street corner, or a good ol cipher. Freestyle rap can be done by one person or by a group of people. https://youtu.be/VH80FTveM_4?si=aK066Ar3Fufaq_HX. https://youtu.be/UZ49J3TLCug?si=OILc2v_pPYxo9GbW
Improvisation is a challenging but rewarding musical skill. It can be a great way to express yourself creatively and connect with other musicians. But let’s get it straight folks, improv, and freestyle don’t mean just do what you want. It takes practice, you got to know those chord progressions and know which way you going. Have you ever heard Ella Fitzgerald scat? It’s all improv. https://youtu.be/1GUmxnYheK0?si=ztw_Oi3hhTKxsr4y. Click in at 1:41. She says she forgot the words and went off from there. But she knew where she was going from the chord progressions and just didn’t run off the rails.
Now, for the most part, ad-lib and improv are similar, but you can also add vocal melisma (runs) to that as well. Adlibbing involves improvising within a scripted context, improvisation encompasses a wider range of spontaneous performances without a predetermined script. When I think of ad-lib, I think of more emotional expression than improving through a song. Here is some real technique when it comes to runs also called rifts and a real breakdown of knowing the chord structure. Again you can’t just do what you want and it don’t fit. Cause if it don’t fit, please just quit. https://youtu.be/21vq7j2eXUU?si=tb06vSGxcwLeFW-a
Now there are ways to work on your improv and your ad-libs: Listen to a lot of music. The more you listen to music, the more you will learn about different styles and techniques. Practice, practice, and practice some mo - regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at improvising. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes when they improvise. The important thing is to keep practicing and to learn from your mistakes. And whatever you don’t don’t forget to have fun! Improvisation is supposed to be fun. So relax, let go, and enjoy the process.
This week's #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week is - KSam. 
The world of music is about to witness another artist from world-renowned manager Qadre El Amine, an artist, named KSam. He is a soul-stirring revelation as acclaimed Hip-Hop Gospel artist KSam prepares to drop his highly anticipated single, “God’s Beauty in You.” This release has already garnered immense acclaim and enthusiasm from radio personalities and stations across the nation.