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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Jazz Improvisation by Berklee

4.8
stars
782 ratings

About the Course

Learn the basic concepts of improvisation from Gary Burton, one of the most renowned improvisers in the jazz world, including the mental, melodic, and harmonic processes that contribute to the instinctive skills that an improviser puts to use when taking a solo. While many people are fans of jazz and understand that musicians are often “making up” the notes they are playing during a performance, most people—often including musicians, themselves, who are beginning to learn improvising—aren’t clear about what exact processes take place to enable this to happen. The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic concepts of modern improvisation and how to go about mastering the different musical and mental skills involved. Course author Gary Burton codifies a sought-after approach to improvisation that has been at the core of Berklee College of Music's curriculum for decades. Students who complete this course will know what to practice and how to practice the various aspects of improvising, in addition to understanding how the improviser spontaneously communicates to the listeners through their musical creations....

Top reviews

II

Apr 18, 2017

It was productive and interesting time. I learnt a lot of new things and got much fun improving my improvisation skills.

Cite from course: You will have plenty to keep you busy in the months ahead.

MG

Nov 19, 2016

This was a truly great course, I learnt so much. And I have been playing piano for almost 60 years! Thanks to a wonderful teacher and musician (brilliant rendition of Chick Corea's Crystal Silence)

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226 - 250 of 271 Reviews for Jazz Improvisation

By Jens S

Aug 16, 2015

Excellent!

By Frederic V

Jan 5, 2021

excellent

By ronald w

Jun 4, 2020

GREAT !!!

By Roberto I M

Oct 9, 2019

Excelente

By DD

Aug 10, 2019

Excellent

By Juan J L

Nov 29, 2017

Excellent

By Joseph k

Sep 3, 2016

Excellent

By MARCUS H E

Nov 18, 2015

Excelent!

By Fernanda G H

Jun 30, 2020

Loved it

By Eduardo V

Aug 14, 2015

AMAZING!

By Pablo M

Nov 19, 2018

amazing

By Jhon E C G

Apr 14, 2017

Great!!

By Cristiano R

Mar 26, 2016

A must!

By Volodymyr P

Jan 23, 2016

Super!

By Miguel A V

Feb 16, 2018

great

By Jose D B

Jan 25, 2016

great

By Braz j d b n

Dec 2, 2015

top!

By Sunghoon E (

Nov 22, 2015

Good

By vo n q m

Oct 26, 2015

good

By Tinsanttos

Jul 27, 2016

A

By Jerry T

Oct 7, 2019

Excellent mini course on the rudiments of the language of jazz improvisation.

The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because the website isn't as clear and direct showing how to navigate to find an answer to a question you may have -- other than the forum. If there was a way to have direct contact with a mentor via Live Chat or Phone call or even email?? I'd have given this 5 stars. The one email I sent in with a question I never got a response other than she was going to look into it and "get back to me." Never did.

Gary Burton was of course a great instructor!

By Alex L

Jan 2, 2018

As a newcomer to jazz (classical background), it took me a while to figure out how to apply the concepts and sound good. I particularly would've liked demonstrations/ analysis of these improv techniques by musicians over real music. Also, the quality of peer evaluations was sometimes inconsistent (this may be inherent in peer learning). Other than that, my musicianship improved and I would recommend this course.

By Dakota S L

Nov 18, 2019

It's pretty cool that a jazz musician with such significant experience taught the course - Gary is definitely knowledgeable, to say the least. He explained concepts well and made everything tie in together nicely. The assignments are somewhat difficult for a beginner in jazz. My only real criticism is that there should be more examples, particularly with guide tones and picking the right scale.

By John S

Oct 8, 2016

I definitely learned some new things during the course. Some of the explanations were a bit concise for someone with limited experience wth improvisation. That is understandable given the length and cost of this course. I would recommend it to others to gain some new knowledge and get a feel for taking online courses from Berklee via Coursera.

By Arpana D

Feb 24, 2016

Excellent and Challenging! Learnt a lot and if you are working toward a certificate you really need to set aside time to earn a pass for each assignment.

Few glitches when it came to grading and assignment instructions. BUT the discussion board is really helpful and interactive. The TA's also provide timely help.