Less is More: Melodic Improvisation for Cellists Series

For many musicians, especially those that may be new to the world of improvisation, the impulse is to just play more, especially when nervous. But shaping a melody is like telling a story -- the space between the notes can be your best friend. String Master Crispin Campbell shows you how. 

In this Shared Private Lesson series, limited to just five attendees, Crispin Campbell will de-construct melodies into their basic motivic elements. After the complete series of lessons, you will be able to craft your own solos from 6 different melodies, covering Folk, Blues, Jazz and Latin styles.

Session Details

This series consists of three shared private lessons with other musicians.  There will be a maximum of 5 musicians in a shared private lesson.  The series is designed for classically trained and improvising cellists at the intermediate level or above.

Ideal prerequisites for attendees:

• Understanding of basic triad types, including 7th      chords, and altered tones (flat 5 & 9)
• Fluency in 2 octave arpeggios
• Understanding of ii-V-I chord progressions
• Bow skills needed for both legato playing and staccato articulations
• Familiarity with 6 melodies:

Wayfaring Stranger, Blue Monk, Black Orpheus, Green Dolphin Street, Santa Morena, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (sheet music will be provided).

Basic Curriculum

Lesson #1: Starting with Simple: Wayfaring Stranger (folk) and Blue Monk (blues)

Lesson #2: Developing a Wider Language: Black Orpheus (bossa nova) and Green Dolphin Street (jazz)

Lesson #3: Fast and Slow, Brighter and Darker: Santa Morena (Brazilian Choro) and Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (Jazz)

How to Prepare for your Session

Attendees should bring their cello ready to play. Materials will be provided during the session.  Crispin will work with each musican assuring personal one-on-one attention.   

Connection details to the session will be provided no later than 24 hours before the session start or upon registration.  Learn more about Crispin Campbell on String Masters.