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tonebase Guitar Course

Improvisation - Introduction

Taught by renowned guitarist 

Matthew Greif

In this lesson member of the internationally acclaimed Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Matthew Greif gives an introduction to improvisation. Outlining the basics of a scalar vertical approach to improvisation, a horizontal approach, and then a combined position shifting approach, Matthew gives you everything you need to begin practicing improvisation in the key of C Major.

  • checkmark icon
    Category: 
    Skills
  • checkmark icon
    Difficulty: 
    All-Levels
  • checkmark icon
    Duration: 
    c. 
    1
     hours
     hour

Course Syllabus

Improvisation - Introduction

In this lesson member of the internationally acclaimed Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Matthew Greif gives an introduction to improvisation. Outlining the basics of a scalar vertical approach to improvisation, a horizontal approach, and then a combined position shifting approach, Matthew gives you everything you need to begin practicing improvisation in the key of C Major.

Intermediate Improvisation: Chromatic Color

In this second lesson, Matthew discusses target notes, how to approach them, and how practicing arpeggios on each chord tone of a progression can help you know where to go while improvising.

Intermediate Improvisation: Minor Keys

In this lesson, Matthew explains how to navigate improvising in a minor key and how doing so differs from improvisation in a major key.

Intermediate Improvisation: Modulations

Moving from one key to the next can be disorienting while you’re improvising. In this lesson, Matthew explains how to build the skills you’ll need in order to easily move from one scale to the next as you solo.

Phrasing

Matthew Greif begins his intermediate improvisation course by introducing skills to help you phrase more effectively while improvising. Focusing on how to draw inspiration from music you already know, he demonstrates how to elaborate on them in order to incorporate melodic ideas into your solos.

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Matthew Greif
meet YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Matthew Greif

Matthew Greif is one of a handful of guitarists who plays both classical music and jazz with authenticity. In addition to his solo work, Matthew has been a member of the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet since 2006, with whom he has toured worldwide and recorded six albums.

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Matthew Greif
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