Roger Watson

INFRASTRUCTURE. Roger Watson A workshop on arranging dance music, starting from the underlying rhythmic and harmonic infrastructure. Suitable for all instruments. Dancers dance to rhythm, even if it is the rhythm inherent in a melody. So this workshop introduces all players, including those who are considered to be melody carriers, to taking part in the harmonic and rhythmic patterns which underpin the melody, and to using different instruments to take turns with a melodic role. Even the most commonly played tunes can benefit from new arrangement ideas. There will be two sessions of 60 – 75 minutes each Part 1 of the workshop will cover creating chord sequences which may be less predictable than the “usual” ones, then, where appropriate, making new versions of established tunes which adapt to harmonic sequences that enhance danceability, and finally melodic and harmonic improvisation as a way of enhancing arrangements. Part 2 will take the form of a session, each piece beginning with chord sequences rather than melodies. Some of the sequences and tunes from part 1 will be developed, but participants will be encouraged to introduce their own or spontaneously create new tunes through improvisation to an established rhythmic/harmonic structure.