Musical Improv Comedy: Creating Songs in the Moment [Paperback]

Michael Pollock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

The best comedy improv singers know every trick in this book, a great addition to any performer's library. Clear, everyday language explains each element of an improvised song. Simple building blocks are combined with performance tips to raise a performer's musical improvisation to its highest level. The included CD, featuring cast members from ImprovOlympic West's hilarious Opening Night, The Improvised Musical, provides * examples * exercises * practice accompaniments

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a brilliantly detailed, scholarly, yet totally entertaining treatise on the unique art of creating the improvised song." -- Richard M. Sherman, Academy Award winning lyricist/composer

"Great book. It's easy to understand, a fun read, inspiring..." -- David Razowsky, Artistic Director, The Second City Los Angeles

"This book is a must for musical directors or theaters in the process of training their musical directors." -- Charna Halpern, ImprovOlympic Director
Author of TRUTH IN COMEDY

"This complete program approximates all the elements of live performing of musical improvisation in an actual environment. Use it well..." -- Jason Alexander

From the Publisher

Masteryear Publishing is proud to offer MUSICAL IMPROV COMEDY, the first book of its kind. It is in use by students and professionals at The Second City Training Centers in Chicago and Los Angeles, and Disney Entertainment Productions. The instructional CD and Michael Pollock's clear, friendly writing style make this a truly practical tool for improv performers--a portable music workshop.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Masteryear Publishing (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974742732
• ISBN-13: 978-0974742731
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Easiest and Most Complete Resource I've Found, July 21, 2004

By 

J. Minnick "fin" (North Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Musical Improv Comedy: Creating Songs in the Moment (Paperback)

I teach Children's Comedy Theatre in North Hollywood. We have been doing improvised singing for a long time and I've always wanted a nice easy resource to use when teaching people how to create a song on the spot. This book is it. Not only is it VERY simple to follow and an excellent source of information, it also contains a CD that will be a fixture in my teaching for ages to come. If anyone has ever improvised a song, played music, or just wanted to be able to think quicker on their feet, this is the book for you.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique book for an intimidating art form, March 9, 2004

By 

Pacopax "pacopax" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Musical Improv Comedy: Creating Songs in the Moment (Paperback)

Any half-experienced improvisor can rattle off titles of books that they have read about improvisation: Truth in Comedy, Improv For Storytellers, Impro, Free Play, as well as many wonderful books on the history of our art form. This book, however, has the honor of being the first book focused on a subgenre of our art, one that is often overlooked, feared, and bastardized. Enter Michael Pollock, a man who has been accompanying improvisors for many, many years. He has discovered an immutable truth: singing a made-up song on stage takes nothing more than courage and commitment. Of course, learning to rhyme, find a groove, structure a song, and get into and out of said song help too. And Michael's got you covered. With over 100 pages of clear-cut techniques, exercises, bits of advice, and a CD with almost 50 practice tracks, Michael has given you everything you need to start making up your own songs easily and painlessly.

If your improv training hasn't included much musical stuff, do yourself a favor. Take Michael's curriculum; buy this book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise Revelation, April 5, 2004

By 

"gatsbynyu" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Musical Improv Comedy: Creating Songs in the Moment (Paperback)

I work in film at Warner Bros and wanted to find some ways to get my creative "fun" side going when not working. I've always been a fan of making up songs as well as acting and improvisation. I started doing work at Second City and really enjoyed the musical improv games, and discovered, through a great referal, this musical improv book by Michael Pollock.

I can't tell you it will change your life because I don't know you, but I will say that it opened me up to such a wonderful creative side of acting and music. I found it pretty simple to get going and then you can train yourself while you drive or at home. Being in LA, there's a lot of traffic. The book opens all the doors easy and hard, and it's up to you to decide which path you take.

Plus, the CD, is useful and reuseable. The specific examples are also a real boon - and some of them are catchy and addicting. Great examples.

I don't think I've found any other books out there like this, not to my knowledge at any rate. If you're a fan of singing, improvisation, or just musicality in general, and you want to impress your friends, (When I perform for other's all they can say is "I could never do that") or just perform, check out this book!