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Putting the Fun in Fundamentals:
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Musical Improv appears to require a lot of skills. Often it can feel like there is a right and wrong way to do it: “oops I flubbed a rhyme,” “oops I sang out of key,” “oops I tripped over my scene partner trying to do a jazz square." In this workshop, we will cover the simple and profound doorways to musical improv practice: listening to emotion from the music, connecting with our body, and expressing the truth of our character’s perspective. We’ll work with mirroring the music and gradually build to improvising full songs — all while staying in the present moment. We will ledge towards long form, doing tight scenes that snap into song, environment-based opening numbers, and solos. Be prepared to play all-out and have as much fun as a 10 year old at theatre camp for the first time.
This class can be a wonderful introduction to musical improv and also a deep dive back into the fundamentals for experienced players. Students will receive one-on-one coaching and feel wicked supported by your classmates and teacher. Wear clothing you can move in.
Prerequisite: The Joy & Ease of Improv 3
or permission from admin (email us!)
About Your Teacher:
Nate Shaffer taught hundreds of beginner and professional musical improvisers at ImprovBoston 2013-2020 and performed more than 1,000 shows with their MainStage TourCo and with Indie Teams. As the better looking half of M7N: Musical Improv Comedy duo, he performed onstage at festivals around the country and did dozens and dozens of shows in Boston from 2015-2017. During the pandemic, he was represented by Music2Meeting, bringing his solo musical improv to Zooms around the world. Teaching music lessons since 2010, he adores bringing people into the creativity of the present moment. He has lectured at Tufts and Harvard and brings radical educational perspectives alongside a mastery of improvisational pedagogy. Trained as a concert pianist and composer, music effortlessly flows from his fingers. You can see him play with The Understudies on March 4th, The Majesters on March 20th, and keep abreast of his events, classes and writing via nateshaffer.substack.com.
Small but Important Details!
*Please note that once you make your purchase, your place in the class is NON-REFUNDABLE
unless we have 48 hours notice before first class AND we can get someone to fill your spot.
*Students must be 21+ years. (In actual years, not maturity. ;)
*Our classes involve physical activity, and we could be on our feet for at least an hour.
If that's an issue, please let your instructor know how we can accommodate the class to fit your needs.
Please email us with any questions about accommodations for ability.
This class can be a wonderful introduction to musical improv and also a deep dive back into the fundamentals for experienced players. Students will receive one-on-one coaching and feel wicked supported by your classmates and teacher. Wear clothing you can move in.
Prerequisite: The Joy & Ease of Improv 3
or permission from admin (email us!)
About Your Teacher:
Nate Shaffer taught hundreds of beginner and professional musical improvisers at ImprovBoston 2013-2020 and performed more than 1,000 shows with their MainStage TourCo and with Indie Teams. As the better looking half of M7N: Musical Improv Comedy duo, he performed onstage at festivals around the country and did dozens and dozens of shows in Boston from 2015-2017. During the pandemic, he was represented by Music2Meeting, bringing his solo musical improv to Zooms around the world. Teaching music lessons since 2010, he adores bringing people into the creativity of the present moment. He has lectured at Tufts and Harvard and brings radical educational perspectives alongside a mastery of improvisational pedagogy. Trained as a concert pianist and composer, music effortlessly flows from his fingers. You can see him play with The Understudies on March 4th, The Majesters on March 20th, and keep abreast of his events, classes and writing via nateshaffer.substack.com.
Small but Important Details!
*Please note that once you make your purchase, your place in the class is NON-REFUNDABLE
unless we have 48 hours notice before first class AND we can get someone to fill your spot.
*Students must be 21+ years. (In actual years, not maturity. ;)
*Our classes involve physical activity, and we could be on our feet for at least an hour.
If that's an issue, please let your instructor know how we can accommodate the class to fit your needs.
Please email us with any questions about accommodations for ability.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
