"A Music Improvisation Model for Children"

Music improvisation is a natural part of children’s young lives. Creating melodies in the moment, performing made-up songs with their friends and families. Children naturally create, share, assess and repeat the process. Music improvising is a natural and innate part of their being and should be treated with respect, value, diligence and awe. In Western society, this wondrous and natural skill, unfortunately, is largely ignored, dismissed and unrecognised. 

A Music Improvisation Model for Children is an approach which I have been using for many years with children and young people of various ages and capabilities. The model uses an informal and semi-structured approach to music improvisation activities. Children are embraced in a completely positive environment where they learn to use, develop and expand their creative potential and a plethora of skills while working with others to create music. 

The model focuses on 6 underlying concepts: confidence, collaboration, challenge, creativity, novelty and performance and can be used within the classroom, early years’ settings, care settings or at home by parents, teachers, non-music specialists, caregivers and early years’ professionals.