Here are some representative samples of the 150 plus mp3 files that accompany the Improvisation for Singers and Instrumentalists book by John Browning and myself (see pull down menu for free download). Throughout the book you’ll see the music notation and then there will be an accompanying mp3 file that you play along with to develop your improv skills.
The book opens with some clever variations on Jesus Loves Me, arranged and performed by our friend Rique Pantoja, who teaches in our Music in Worship program at Biola University.
1-1 Jesus Loves Me
Below, a fast, upbeat piece (arranged by Chris Wills) that you can play or sing along with.
1-31 Every Time I Feel the Spirit
1-31 Every Tim I feel the spirit
From chapter eight of the book. A slow, African-American Spiritual. See two mp3s below. In the first one, Judith Hill performs a vocal improvisation on the piece Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Love. In the second one, you’ll hear only the piano accompaniment so you can improvise your own version. Improvising against the piano in this example is a more difficult than other examples in the book because the piano isn’t busy — it has wide open spaces. It’s fun though!
8-21a1 Sometime Times I Feel Like a Motherless Love (voice: Judith Hill)
8-21a2 Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Love (piano track only)
8-21a2 Sometimes I Feel(track)
The two mp3s of the famous carol, What Child is This, are easier to improvise with. The first mp3 (band) has a middle section for easy improv. The second mp3 has piano only with basic chords. It allows a lot of room to improvise.
6-27a What Child is This (band)
6-27b What Child is This (piano)
blessings,
Dr. Barry Liesch & Dr. John Curtis Browning
I have been following your books for “years” from “Down Under” in Australia.
Keep up the good work
Yours sincerely
Paul W. Weathersten J.P.
143 Edward Street
Orange NSW 2800
AUSTRALIA
Thank you, Paul. We’ll have some really interesting mp3 files posted soon.
barry
Great work!
Nice music