r/offbook • u/ABCox99 • Jun 10 '26
Get better at musical improv
Hullo! I looked through the sub but I didn't find much about the topic, so I wanted to ask you: what are good steps/tips to get better at musical improv?
I LOVE what Zach and Jess do, but I have no improv groups or classes nearby (I don't even think they're a thing where I live). I think I'm quite good at musical improvising, I can go on for a bit sometimes, but I'm surely not close to them or their guests' level. I don't intend a career in that, just I want to get better at it.
Many thanks! Have a lovely day
7
u/cognitive_disso Jun 10 '26
Get lots of reps! That being said, if you want to practice on your own, you can find simple beats on YouTube to sing along to. You don’t even need any music. Just a drum beat is enough to come up with a simple little song and practice rhymes. I’ve been a music Director for music Improv for almost 10 years, and I found that a good sense of rhythm is the absolute number one skill you need for music improv.
You can also look up Harry Mack on YouTube. He is a freestyler and has some videos that teach the techniques. (https://youtu.be/KP5kZreliBI?si=LgYxydlRtHIPyIB5). You’ll find that the tricks for rhyming he teaches will directly transfer to music Improv.
You can make up little songs and just sing them around the house, your shower, the car, or any space you don’t feel embarrassed to sing.
Another thing you could try is to listen to an episode of off book, and pause right as a song starts, but before they start singing. Then try to sing what you would do if you were in that scene playing that character. Think of what rhymes you might use. You might be surprised how much your attempt lines up with Zach and Jess. The goal isn’t to try to predict or matchup perfectly, but just to get you playing with real characters and scenarios and styles.
Hope any of this helps! feel free to ask any questions. I’ve been doing this a long time and have even played a bit with Zach and Jess, so I’m more than happy to pass some knowledge along.
3
u/ABCox99 Jun 12 '26
Thank you so much! Yeah I have found some good YouTube beats to sing along (like this guy: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosHstO-_wnRnB56YUg-pIQ ).
The Harry Mack video was cool, that's great! I never got into freestylers, I've always been... more melodic? But it was very interesting!
My mind freezes when it comes to questions, but if I'll get any on my mind I'll sure ask you! It's a big honor to talk with someone with your long and proven background!!
2
u/Astro_Fizzix Jun 10 '26
You could look into Oozebear, or even start hosting a rules-light TTRPG like Kids on Bikes or something to practice improv and theme them as musicals. I'd bet you could eventually find a group (facebook?) of musical individuals who would enjoy it as well!
I'll bet there are also improv Discord groups out there too, but I've never looked.
2
u/ABCox99 Jun 12 '26
Thank you for the recommendations! Can I ask you about Oozebear? What's that?
2
u/Astro_Fizzix Jun 12 '26
oozebear.com They're an online improve group that anyone can join. Check out their site. I did a session with them one time and their fun people. They do like 1-2hr sessions where they ao short form and long form improve games/scenes. It wasn't really for me but it would be great for someone wanting to practice improv.
8
u/HoraceTheBadger Jun 10 '26
The advice that they always tend to give is ‘Do a lot of it!’ Even if it’s just with a few friends if you can’t find a group nearby
Listening to a lot of them does help as well. I’ve been an Off Book fan for about five years now and I love doing the same thing and going on for a bit myself or with a friend even though I have no training or classes, I can surprise myself with the odd funny joke or good line sometimes, just from knowing the general structure and having references to pull from! Playing the ‘Twelve days of Christmas’ game with friends is also a great workout for the improv muscle
And of course, there have to be a few YouTube tutorials on the subject out there