Exploring Music & Improvisation

Our ability to improvise is both an

incredible magic and a pedestrian
exercise of a basic human faculty.
From the most creative artistic
endeavor to the most mundane
action, that mysterious process we
call improvising is part of everything
we do.
Yet no matter what activity we are
engaged in or what we are creating,
the process of improvisation remains
the same, as does the joy and satis-
faction of spontaneous expressive
action.
Tom Halls free improvisation work-
shops and classes provide practical
tools for exploring the joys and
mysteries of musical improvisation.
The value of this exploration reaches
far beyond the musical skills gained.
A competent and aware improviser
nds it much easier to create a joyful,
successful, and fullling life!
Biography
Tom Hall, a graduate of
New England Conserva-
tory, is an improvising
saxophonist, music
teacher and the author
of Free Improvisation:
A Practical Guide. He
has been teaching free
improvisation ensembles at Brandeis
University since 1997 and has con-
ducted improvisation classes at New
England Conservatory, Wellesley Col-
lege, the Royal Conservatory, and the
Rotterdam Conservatory.
Hall has played saxophone profes-
sionally since he was 17, performing
and recording in a wide variety of mu-
sical styles jazz, blues, rap, rock,
folk, funk, meringue and more. What
always fascinated him most was not
the differences between musical
styles, but what they all have in com-
mon the process of improvisation. It
was this fascination that led to the de-
velopment of his theory of improvisa-
tion as a universal process that applies
equally to all creative endeavors.
He designed and led Session I, a
workshop for professional improvisers,
culminating in a series of concerts in
New England, and has served as cura-
tor for the Cultural Construction Music
Series.
In addition to his ongoing teaching and
group performances, Hall is currently
directing The Sessions, a series of
workshops and concerts that focus on
bringing musicians from all genres to-
gether to perform in a free improvisa-
tional setting.
For more information:
Tom Hall 617.510.9168
tomhall@freeimprovisation.com
www.freeimprovisation.com
Free Improvisation
Tom Hall
Life is one big improvisation.
Benets of Free Improvisation
By combining free improvisations with
the creative use of improvisational
exercises, students will:
strengthen awareness of their
improvisational impulses and expand
their knowledge of how to express
them
examine fundamental aspects
of music and improvisation
create individual and group
awareness of improvisational and
musical possibilities
develop a common musical and
verbal language
learn the skills necessary to use
all of the above in the spontaneous
creation of music
This method is non-stylistic,
accommodates any instrumentation,
and is suitable for anyone, regardless
of musical background or skill.
The only requirements are a desire to
learn more about improvisation and
music, and an interest in having fun
playing music in a group.
Brief Syllabus
Tom Halls approach to teaching
is an improvisational approach.
There are certain basic concepts that
will always be explored, but each indi-
vidual class is improvised based on the
needs of the group and the lessons
that spontaneously occur.
A) Solo Improvisation
Exercises in solo improvisation
focus on awareness of individual
musical inspiration and the direct
expression of it.
B) Duets
The duet is a microcosm of the
improvisatory experience. The simplic-
ity of two voices makes it easier to hear
and understand many concepts.

These concepts include beginning
and ending, form and motivic develop-
ment, and skills such as ear training
and musical memory.
Duets are an excellent way to explore
the complexities of a relationship. from
musical relationships like melody and
accompaniment to the many complex
ways that people relate emotionally
and socially.
C) Trios, quartets and larger groups
Work with larger groups begins with
introductory exercises focused on
getting comfortable with basic improvi-
sational and musical skills, proceed to
exercises which help students learn
how improvise with multiple parts,
and culminate in more complex struc-
tures that combine two or more of the
exercises that have been previously
studied.
This work includes:
improvising grooves as a group
improvising melodies, harmony and
counterpoint
soloing
improvising larger forms

using silence
improvising accompaniment
exploration of musical parameters
(rhythm, dynamics, textural
improvisation, articulation, harmony)

conducted improvisations
improvisation from non-musical
sources (words, visual cues,
emotions, movement)
Apri l Hal l
Free Improvisation: A Practical Guide
The Book: Improvisation is a big part of our daily
lives, essential to the things we love to do and the
music we love to hear. Improvising together seems
natural when were playing a game or having a
conversation, yet improvising music together is
often viewed as mysterious and forbidding. Free
Improvisation: A Practical Guide provides a practical
way for any group of people, no matter what their
style of music or level of musicianship, to learn
about improvising together. With over 100
improvisational exercises and invaluable
instructional tips, this book is an essential tool for
every musician, teacher, or music lover.
The Author: Tom Hall, a graduate of New England
Conservatory, is an improvising saxophonist and
music teacher. He has been teaching free
improvisation ensembles at Brandeis University
since 1997 and has conducted improvisation classes
at New England Conservatory, Wellesley College,
the Royal Conservatory, and the Rotterdam
Conservatory.
Arthur: Tom Hall
Title: Free Improvisation: A Practical Guide
File Under: Music Education, Jazz Education
Publisher: Bee Boy Press Format: Spiral Bound
ISBN: 978-0-615-32862-1
Suggested Retail: $25.00
Catalog Number: BP-0900
Pages: 123
Publicity: Kristine Walker, Walker Productions
Publicity Contact: kwalkerproductions@gmail.com
Website: www.freeimprovisation.com
Press Website: www.beeboyrecords.com
Available: freeimprovisation.com and amazon.com
Press Contact: B e e B o y P r e s s
117 Roslindale Ave. Boston, MA 02131
tomhal l @f r eei mpr ovi sat i on. com
w w w . b e e b o y r e c o r d s . c o m
w w w. f r e e i mp r o v i s a t i o n . c o m
Table of Contents:
!
One: What is Improvisation?
!
Two: Setting the Stage
!
Three: Practicing Free Improvisation
!
Four: Beginning Exercises
!
Five: Duets: The Art of Relationship
!
Six: Advanced Groove Exercises
!
Seven: Textures
!
Eight: Creating SpacePlaying Silence
!
Nine: Groups Within the Group
!
Ten: Melody and Accompaniment
!
Eleven: Musical Parameters
!
Twelve: Tasting Shapes
!
Thirteen: Combining Exercises
!
Fourteen: Warm-ups
!
Fifteen: Solo Exercises
!
Index of Exercises
Apri l Hal l
T o m H a l l S e s s i o n I I I
Track Time
1.First Meeting 3:19
2. Smile 4:12
3. Holler 6:14
4. Bumps 5:31
5. Smile II 4:19
6.Loosey 3:28
7. Bare 5:23
8. Last Call 8:48
Label Contact: Be e Bo y Re c o r d s 117 Roslindale Ave. Boston, MA 02131 617.817.0007
t o m h a l l @f r e e i m p r o v i s a t i o n . c o m w w w . f r e e i m p r o v i s a t i o n . c o m
The CD: The idea behind Session III is simple - bring three exceptional musicians into the studio and
record them improvising. Although Tom, Marty and Jeff have played together in various groups over the
years, the improvisation on this CD titled "First Meeting" was the trio's rst free improvisation. All the
music on this CD is completely improvised, with the exception of two freely rendered versions of Charlie
Chaplin's "Smile. Personnel: Tom Hall, Tenor & Bari Sax; Marty Ballou, Bass; Jeff Galindo, Trombone.
About Tom: Tom Hall, a graduate of New England Conservatory, is an improvising saxophonist,
educator and author of Free Improvisation: A Practical Guide. He has been teaching free
improvisation ensembles at Brandeis University since 1997 and has conducted improvisation classes at
New England Conservatory, Wellesley College, the Royal Conservatory, and the Rotterdam
Conservatory.
Tom Hall has spent his life improvising all kinds of
music, in groups such as Your Neighborhood Sax
Quartet, Bob Nieske's Wolf Soup, Bruce Katz Band,
Club dElf, and with people such as John Medeski, D.J.
Logic, Jon Damian, Matt Maneri, Tim Ray, Duke
Levine, Curt Newton, Dave Bryant, and Dave Tronzo,
and has performed and recorded throughout the world
in a wide variety of musical styles. Whether hes playing
Jazz, Blues, Rap, Rock, Folk, Funk, Latin, or R&B,
what has always fascinated Tom most is not the
differences between musical styles, but what they all have
in common - the process of improvisation. Performing
and studying with actors, dancers, and visual artists
has shown Tom that improvisation is a creative
process common not only to all music, but to all creative
endeavors.
In addition to teaching and performing, Tom has served as curator for Cultural Constructions, a concert
series which creates the opportunity for musicians from different cultures to improvise, compose, and
perform together. Currently, Tom produces The Sessions, an improvised music series that brings
together great improvisers from all styles of music and sets them loose in a free improvisatory setting.
Artist: Tom Hall
Title: Session III
File Under: Free Improvisation Avant Garde Jazz
Label: Bee Boy Records Format: CD
UPC Code: 884501233859
Release Date: January 7, 2009
Catalog Number: BB-0903
Website: www.freeimprovisation.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/tomhallfreeimprov
Available at: iTunes, CD Baby, amazon.com and
freeimprovisation.com
T o m H a l l
f r eei mpr ovi s at i on. com
T o m H a l l
freei mprovi sati on.com