A CREATIVE ACTION SESSION is kind of like a play-along webinar that walks you through a creative process. The point is to be in ‘in action’ throughout the session so that you are actually playing the piece by the end of the session –  instead of passively taking in information you plan to implement later. 

So we learn a CREATIVE PROCESS and APPLY it step, by step as we’re learning, so you can see how it works and put it into ACTION on your instrument in the moment. 

In this Action Session you learn to take a Lead-Sheet (or chord chart) of the tune “AULD LANG SYNE” – and first ENRICH the melody with harmonies (based on the chord chart) – and then EXPAND the piece into a multi-part arrangement.

I usually begin each Action Session by describing the process we’ll be using, then I play it out in its simplest form … in a way that would be playable by a fledgling player (i.e. advanced beginner). 

Then we start expanding it, first by adding techniques an intermediate player might use – and finally to techniques that advanced players might use, like extended chords, reharmonization.

The beauty of working this way is that for each person, you only go as far as your brain feels comfortable, knowing you can always go back later on and add more. 

That means that Fledgling Players learn the basic idea, and continue to play the piece simply throughout the session.  Intermediate Players continue to add concepts on the first level of expansion — and Advanced Players can incorporate the most expanded and embellished ideas. 

Everyone plays the whole time, everyone can play the piece at your own level by the time the session is done – you simply stop expanding the ideas at the point when you hit the limit of your brain or you abilities, knowing you can always go back later on and add more, depending on your experience and technique.

The beauty is that the way you’re playing it by the end of the class is great – it’s basically an arrangement that was designed for your exact technical level – because you developed it during the session.

In addition to having ‘your own’ arrangement, everyone – regardless of level –  develops a solid foundation for SHARING the music, making CONNECTIONS with your audience – whether that’s family, clients or concert audience – and getting more and more creatively expressive. And everyone learns to have FUN using creative ideas to express yourself simply NOW – and know how to expand that expression later.