Serge Forté

Improvisation Around Chopin

Pedagogic project

for students following classes like :
classical piano, jazz piano, drums, contrebasse, harmony, composition/arrangement

Study Plan

• Choice of works
  • Definition of goals
  • tempo
  • form
• cuts
  • place of solos
  • thema’s exposition
  • final

• Harmonic analysis of work
  • Basic harmonic grid
  • Jazz harmonic grid

• Interpretation : definition of positions
  • introduction (+/- solo)
  • thema (+/- contrebasse)
• development/solos (which style ? )
  • finale choice

• Post-interpretation Analysis
  • + or – true to the work ?
  • right tempo ?
  • right cuts ?
  • right solo grid ?
• final result : aim achieved ?

The choice of the work to be studied (1 or more depending on the possible schedule) has to be done in concertation with the teachers, among the tunes from « Jazz’in Chopin ». Students have also the possibility to prepare one work of their choice,on the upon principles , and propose their grids and arrangements. Other composers than Chopin, as Scriabine, might be used that way, the essential point being always the melodic interest.

Serge Forté