Filling-in The Gaps — improv coaching for all instruments (berkeley)

* Summer Special — first session 1/2 off and 20% off your first month * If you’re just starting out or already gigging or even teaching, you'll appreciate getting a customized, step-by-step approach that will de-mystify how to improvise. You'll learn how to not only deepen your concentration and ability to be creative in-the-moment, but also how to use different kinds of focus that yields solid results every time you play with people, or play on your own. You'll also learn universal principles for efficient motion, breaking down technical problems, and designing & tracking your practicing that ensures progress and prevents feeling stalled out, regardless of the instrument(s) you play. Style Options: jazz / funk / blues / rock / pop / folk / New Age / pattern / classical "Michael has been able to detect my strengths and weaknesses very specifically and pinpoint ways for me to improve. His approach is systematic and a good mix between technical and artistic . . ." — Alan Wick (clarinetist) "I feel very grateful for the time we got to spend together. You opened my ears and mind to the next logical steps in jazz and other types of improvisation. My ability to explore more interesting harmonic and melodic concepts has expanded into larger, more interesting melodic leaps plus more effective use of altered and whole-tone altered scales. As I come to terms with the role of the cello in a jazz setting, I feel like everything we worked on is very present in all my improvisational endeavors." — Sam Bass (cellist/recording & touring artist with Les Claypool) • HARMONIC THEORY • SCALE & CHORDAL OPTIONS • EAR-TRAINING • RHYTHM & PHRASING ACCURACY • COMPOSING & ARRANGING • TRANSCRIPTION Michael Smolens is a multi-instrumentalist & vocalist who has been teaching improvisation for over five decades. He has published extensively and lead workshops on the art of practicing and also teaches through the California Jazz Conservatory. He has recorded and/or performed with vibraphonist Stefon Harris, tabla master Zakir Hussain; drummers Akira Tana & Alan Hall; horn players Paul McCandless, Paul Hanson, Sheldon Brown & Erik Jekabson; string players David Balakrishnan Evan Price & Aaron Germain; and vocalists David Worm, Bryan Dyer, Rhiannon, Katy Stephen & Claudia Schmidt. Great West Berkeley location, minutes from the Bay Bridge. For more information call show contact info Check out his articles and videos at https://www.secondsightmusic.net/library-1