Inventive Guitar: creative approaches to arranging composition and improvisation

Overview

This workshop offers an inventive approach to interpreting and improvising on guitar through the study of solo arrangement techniques, creative use of open strings and harmonics, and rhythmic concepts. Special focus is given to improvisational skills applicable in Latin American music styles. The workshop is designed to be adaptable, from an intensive 2-hour session to a comprehensive 10-session course.

Aims

• Develop a clear understanding of the guitar fretboard architecture and logic for navigation and improvisation.
• Explore solo guitar arrangements incorporating melodic phrasing, harmonic texture, and rhythmic interest.
• Creatively employ open strings and harmonics as integral tonal and textural elements.
• Enhance improvisation skills, applying theory and motifs fluently in jazz, and Latin contexts.
• Build rhythmic sophistication tailored to diverse musical styles, focusing on groove, syncopation, and timing.

For Who?

• Intermediate to advanced guitarists seeking to deepen technique and musicality.
• Guitarists interested in cross-genre improvisation and solo performance skills.
• Musicians aiming to expand knowledge of fretboard logic and rhythmic concepts within jazz, and Latin American repertoires.

Structure and Session Outline

2-Hour Intensive Session

• Quick orientation on fretboard fundamentals.
• Demonstrations of solo arrangement ideas
• Improvisation exercises over common chord progressions.
• Rhythmic workshop with Latin and jazz grooves emphasizing interplay and timing.
• Q&A and guided practice suggestions for independent study.

10-Session Prolonged Course (1.5-2 hrs per session)

• Session 1: Fretboard Logic Fundamentals – note layout, intervals, octave patterns, visualization.
• Session 2: Solo Guitar Arrangements I – chord melody basics, voice leading, melodic phrasing.
• Session 3: Creative Use of Open Strings and Harmonics – integrating resonance and color into playing.
• Session 4: Improvisation Fundamentals – building motifs and phrases from jazz and pop vocabularies.
• Session 5: Rhythmic Concepts I – syncopation, comping patterns, time feel in jazz contexts.
• Session 6: Intermediate Fretboard Applications – scales, arpeggios, connecting patterns for fluid improvisation.
• Session 7: Solo Guitar Arrangements II – advanced chord substitutions and reharmonizations.
• Session 8: Rhythmic Concepts II - Latin Influence – Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, clave patterns.
• Session 9: Improvisational Techniques in Latin Music – modal concepts and rhythmic phrasing applied.
• Session 10: Integration and Performance Workshop – combining elements in solo and group settings, performance showcase.

Outcomes

• Master fretboard navigation techniques for versatile playing.
• Craft engaging solo arrangements using open strings and harmonics.
• Gain improvisational fluency across jazz, pop, and Latin idioms.
• Enhance rhythmic sophistication applicable in diverse musical styles.
• Build confidence performing solo and in ensembles with creative expression.

Format and Requirements

• Flexible delivery: 2-hour intensive session or 10-session course.
• Recommended: guitar with amp (if electric), audio playback device, notebook.
• Suitable for in-person or online formats with interactive play-along and demonstrations.