Does anyone know of suitable Vocal Improv games or exercises for a very large group?

B

Bjorn

New Member
#1
#1
Hi,

I have been asked to host an improv workshop for a very large group of people (about 60 persons). Does anyone know of any musical/vocal improv games or exercises that work for a group this size?
The group consists of members of a choir, so the singing bit shouldn't be a problem: Their standard reportoire consists of pub songs / torch songs / tear-jerkers. But they are totally new to the concept of improv and improvising.

If anyone can give me pointers to suitable material, or any tips at all, that would be really appreciated!

Kind regards,
Björn Hermans
 
darcy

darcy

Everything is Art!
#3
#3
I've got one idea in my head, and I know that this game has a name, but hopefully by explaining someone might recall the name and the game's finer points.

Get some players (I find it works best with 5-7 people at a time). Obviously for your purposes you may have to explain the game, perhaps even demonstrate it a few times with two groups, and get others to lead smaller groups. You get these people to appear in a line and get them to either think of a word themselves, or get the onlookers to give them a word. Each person has a different word. Get them to start with a very basic pattern (left to right, every other person and back, etc) so a basic chain is made with everyone saying their word. Maybe get them to play around with volume and emotional flare.

Now this is where the game gets a bit more intense. Let one player start with their word and let the players 'feel' out the words and when they feel like it get them to add in their own word until everyone has gone and a great new and unique pattern has formed. Once this is done get them to play around with it, getting louder and quieter, and being quite and letting others go and maybe even 'solo' their word. All players should be able to build an contribute equally to created this sound collage.

If both you and the players are feeling up to it, you can now allow them to use the other words too. I generally mention that this shouldn't be done willy-nilly and should only be used if it feels natural. Great stories can even be built around the use of these words, taking them away, and even having members do vocal 'solos'.
 
mike short

mike short

Smart dog!
#4
#4
Also, what is the general thrust of the workshop?

Since this is a choir, musical analogies may resonate with them very strongly. I like using a Soundscape to warm people up and to talk about basic concepts of improv. You know that one: someone starts with a beat or a sound and one by one the entire circle adds to it until a Soundscape is created. Then we can talk about how improv is built piece by piece, and how the sound "felt" a particular way and how we followed that feeling.

Is there an accompaniest? Someone to play piano or keyboard? Have them improvise a simple chorus/verse/chorus number. Someone will set a simple chorus, then the group will repeat the chorus together. Then someone will step forward and sing a verse (since they're new to improv, they can add in that verse any way they want. Even if it's just some vocal sliding or scat or something). Then we repeat the chorus, and then a new verse, and so on to a big finish.

I also feel that people will want to do scenes eventually. To accommodate a larger number of people, we could do Love/Hate Dinner. You get a bunch of people (probably no more than 10. I've done it with up to 7) to sit around an imaginary table. You instruct them that they're all eating a meal together. And they are to assign, in their heads, the feeling of Love or Hate to everyone else at the table. They can Love everyone or Hate everyone or Hate some and Love others. We then play out the meal and watch what kind of interesting relationship dynamics emerge. We can then use that to talk about Improv works really well when we have strong feelings and emotions behind our actions. We'll also notice how it works well when we're patient in our listening and give everyone space to talk.

And Hot Spot. People freaking love Hot Spot.
 
G

goldfish boy

Otium cum dignitate
#5
#5
Choral Symphony. It seems to be similar to the soundscape that mike short mentioned. Someone starts with a beat. One by one, choir members add a bassline, melody line, little accents, harmonies off the melody line, countermelodies, etc. Since it's a large group of experienced choral singers, maybe they can improvise close harmonies, which would be really cool. Emphasize supporting the whole.
 
B

Bjorn

New Member
#7
#7
The general thrust of the workshop is for the group to get to know eachother better, to introduce more humour into their performance, and to learn how to work together in a fun way.

The Soundscape and Choral Symphony were among things that I'd thought of myself, as they are very relevant to the focus of the workshop, and as they work very well with a group this large.

As we will only have 2 hours for the entire workshop (including a short coffee break), and as the group consists of older people who don't like things that are too complicated, we want to do only (very) basic improv stuff. When we make it more/too complicated, we run the risk of losing the connection with the group, which is something we want to avoid at all costs.
The members of the choir come to the rehearsels each week primarily because they like to sing. So the main focus of our workshop needs to be on the singing: playing actual scenes will probably be a bridge too far for them.
 
mike short

mike short

Smart dog!
#8
#8
Loser Ball might work. Basically, everyone stands in a circle. Someone starts by throwing an imaginary ball at someone, who then comedically unable to catch it. Really, everyone acts completely inept at catching the imaginary ball. But instead of booing or aw-ing, we cheer like that was the whole idea all along. Rinse, repeat.
 
mullaney

mullaney

IRC Administrator
Staff member
#9
#9
One little note about musical games. Make sure they know that it's ok to simply reinforce what they already hear. With large groups you don't want everyone trying to add new things all the time. Here would be my guidelines (which apply to almost anything you are creating as a group).

First, follow what you already hear. Reinforce what is already happening.
Second, always notice the new thing. When something new happens, follow it so that it grows in a new direction.
Third, every once in a while throw in something new, that supports what is already there, but adds to it.
 
B

Bjorn

New Member
#10
#10
That's a good one, Kevin. It's something which is very obvious to an improv player, but may not be for people totally new to it. And as I expect this group to be rather energetic (in a good way :), I will make sure to stress this to them to prevent total chaos ;-)
 
P

pianojoe

New Member
#11
#11
Group music games

Dont know if it's too late but we have used Da Doo Ron Ron with large groups.

All things bright and beautiful works well with an improvised line each and everyone singing the chorus together.

We also do basic upa nd down scales, but to words suggested by each person in turn. Can bring in some basic word association or rhyming here as well.

Joe Samuel
www.musicalimprovcomedy.co.uk
 
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