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Puzzle Pieces: Daydreamer is an improvisatory piece using graphic notation rather than staves and notes. The backing track is based around a repeated 8 bar chord sequence, with suggested notes for improvisation in each bar. The bars are represented on the music by a cloud. This has the same approach as ‘Jazz on Toast’ - begin with the largest letter in each bar, with pupils coming up with (and possibly starting to notate) the rhythm. An additional exercise could be for pupils to decide on different colours for each cloud chords, to help identify the changes and allow them to personalise the music -
Puzzle Pieces: Jazz on Toast! is an improvisatory piece using graphic notation rather than staves and notes. The backing track is based on a repeated 12 bar blues chord sequence, with suggested notes for improvisation in each bar. Each "slice of toast" represents a bar of music. The letters are notes of the chord. Beginning with the largest letter in each bar, play the notes on a chosen rhythm. Try using breakfast items as inspiration for your words/rhythms! (There is a sheet included in the instructions with some examples). -
Puzzle Pieces: Pavane is one of three improvisatory pieces based around chords and using graphic notation rather than staves and notes. This has the same approach as ‘Jazz on Toast’ and 'Daydreamer'- begin with the largest letter in each bar, encouraging pupils to suggest rhythms, or to even improvise a call and response. There are also melody parts for this piece, so there is the option for more variation/flexibility in performance, mixing improvisation with the notated music. It is also possible to build up an accompaniment using the notes from the chord ‘scrolls’, with a soloist playing the melody etc. The difference in style with this piece to the other two ‘graphic score’ pieces could also lead to discussions of different musical styles and eras. Encourage players to perform in a stylistically sympathetic manner!
