The Easiest Way to Improvise.* The Easiest Way to Improvise, by Christopher Norton Christopher Norton (born 1953) is a New Zealand-born British pianist and composer. Norton showed early promise as a musician. He began composing at the age of 14, and, by the age of 16, had an orchestral work performed and broadcast. . Boosey & Hawkes Ltd. (Aldwych House, 71-91 Aldwych, London WC2B 4HN), 2005. 136 pp. $24.95. The Easiest Way to Improvise contains 15 chapters, each containing an original song with exercises designed to facilitate eventual ability to play and improvise on the given selection. An audio CD containing 39 play-along tracks is also provided. A professional trio (piano, bass and drums Piano, Bass and Drums is a music DVD that features the musical collaboration of R&B singer Patrice Rushen, and other musicians such as Darek Oleszkiewicz,Ndugu Chancler as well as many others. ) supplies excellent accompaniments. Students are encouraged to listen to specific selections by well-known professionals as well. Each chapter begins with left-hand chords introduced in an additive additive In foods, any of various chemical substances added to produce desirable effects. Additives include such substances as artificial or natural colourings and flavourings; stabilizers, emulsifiers, and thickeners; preservatives and humectants (moisture-retainers); and manner: first one note, then two notes and finally three-note chords. The right-hand melody is added next; improvisation improvisation Creation of music in real time. Improvisation usually involves some preparation beforehand, particularly when there is more than one performer. Despite the central place of notated music in the Western tradition, improvisation has often played a role, from the is encouraged, first by melodic me·lod·ic adj. Of, relating to, or containing melody. me·lod  i·cal·ly adv. variation, then using scales (or modes) or chord
arpeggiation. A number of styles such as blues, country, ballad, waltz waltz, romantic dance in moderate triple time. It evolved from the German Ländler and became popular in the 18th cent. The dance is smooth, graceful, and vital in performance. ,
swing and pop are covered.
Intermediate-level students of any age will do best with this book. The difficulty level progresses on a slight curve; generally there are more chords and sophisticated melodies in the last part of the book. The material is presented in a clear, non-intimidating environment. Explanations are brief but to the point. This book would be good for those interested in learning to improvise without knowing too much about theory or chord voicings and scales. Teachers not knowledgeable about improvisation might find this book more useful than more elaborate texts. From a purist's point of view, there is still a lot not included in the book, such as a clear understanding of form, chord function and rhythmic rhyth·mic also rhyth·mi·cal adj. Of, relating to, or having rhythm; recurring with measured regularity. rhyth mi·cal·ly adv. issues like swing rhythm (only two selections use
swing eighth notes). In addition, the book only addresses improvising
within the context of playing with a combo. Incorporating these ideas
into a solo piano context will involve more explanation and work.
Reviewed by Geoffrey Haydon, Atlanta, Georgia.
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