An opportunity to explore improvisation in a supportive and playful environment. Find creativity and freedom as you follow the practice of great classical composers.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The practice of improvisation in classical music, through practical exercises and exploration.
What will we cover?
- how to create musical structures and textures, and improvise phrases of 4 bars, 8 bars and longer - responding to other musicians through improvisation - developing short musical ideas into longer phrase - improvising melodic material over a given harmonic basis - the history and application of improvisation in classical music - improvising to silent film, words or pictures.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Improvise with other musicians Create your own melodies Develop a 4 bar melodic phrase into longer pieces of music Use improvisation to be more creative and expressive in the music pieces you study Understand how improvisation can be used in classical music.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
For instrumental musicians who have completed at least three years of tuition on their instrument. You need to be able to play scales and arpeggios in major and minor keys up to three sharps/flats, and recognise basic musical elements such as pulse and phrase. You do not need prior experience of improvising.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This class will be taught in the classroom. Tutor demonstration and explanation, and practical exercises. You will have the chance to play along with the tutor as well as individually. There will be some presentation of history and music theory.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All you need is your own instrument.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This short course is a supplement to the general instrumental programme, and you are encouraged to explore improvisation in your regular instrumental playing, or apply it in ensemble playing.
Lindsey Fillingham (flute, piano, chamber music and improvisation tutor) graduated with BMus(Hons) from the University of Cape Town in 2009 and went on to study in Stockholm (KMH), Manchester (RNCM), and privately with Kate Hill (RAM). She has played with the likes of the Hallé, the Cape Philharmonic, and Orchestra of the Swan in venues including Royal Albert Hall, Bridgewater Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields, has performed as a soloist with the Johannesburg Philharmonic, and broadcast for BBC’s Songs of Praise and Sunday Worship. Lindsey is carrying out PhD research at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, into group classical improvisation. She has led improvisation workshops and courses at the University of Cape Town, City Lit and Barbican’s OpenFest, amongst others. Lindsey loves performing to diverse communities, and is equally at home singing in school workshops or playing in care settings. She is a member of soundSPARK wind quartet and, with the Ashdown Duo, the Musicians in Hospitals and Care scheme. Lindsey is passionate about passing on the joy of music-making, and teaches at City Lit and Kensington Prep School.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/improvising-in-classical-instrumental-music2489128Improvising in classical instrumental musichttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/m/improvising-classical-instrumental-me860b-1024.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Ensembles22851314135113571228513141351An opportunity to explore improvisation in a supportive and playful environment. Find creativity and freedom as you follow the practice of great classical composers.002995433Improvising in classical instrumental music6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/m/improvising-classical-instrumental-me860b-1024_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-02-22T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedFeb 2026Performing artsME860B6969Improvising in classical instrumental music696969Lindsey Fillinghamimprovising-in-classical-instrumental-music/me860b-2526An opportunity to explore improvisation in a supportive and playful environment. Find creativity and freedom as you follow the practice of great classical composers.0000-Available|2026-02-22 00:00:00The practice of improvisation in classical music, through practical exercises and exploration.An opportunity to explore improvisation in a supportive and playful environment. Find creativity and freedom as you follow the practice of great classical composers.- how to create musical structures and textures, and improvise phrases of 4 bars, 8 bars and longer<br/> - responding to other musicians through improvisation<br/> - developing short musical ideas into longer phrase<br/> - improvising melodic material over a given harmonic basis<br/> - the history and application of improvisation in classical music<br/> - improvising to silent film, words or pictures.Improvise with other musicians<br/> Create your own melodies<br/> Develop a 4 bar melodic phrase into longer pieces of music<br/> Use improvisation to be more creative and expressive in the music pieces you study<br/> Understand how improvisation can be used in classical music.For instrumental musicians who have completed at least three years of tuition on their instrument. You need to be able to play scales and arpeggios in major and minor keys up to three sharps/flats, and recognise basic musical elements such as pulse and phrase. You do not need prior experience of improvising.This class will be taught in the classroom.<br/> Tutor demonstration and explanation, and practical exercises. You will have the chance to play along with the tutor <br/> as well as individually. There will be some presentation of history and music theory.All you need is your own instrument.This short course is a supplement to the general instrumental programme, and you are encouraged to explore improvisation in your regular instrumental playing, or apply it in ensemble playing.MusicEnsemblesvirtual696969ME860BNONESun22/02/2611:00 - 17:0011:0017:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetLindsey FillinghamSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2026-02-22T00:00:00+00:00Feb 2026Performing arts6969Improvising in classical instrumental musicimprovising-in-classical-instrumental-music/me860b-2526An opportunity to explore improvisation in a supportive and playful environment. Find creativity and freedom as you follow the practice of great classical composers.0000-Available|2026-02-22 00:00:00The practice of improvisation in classical music, through practical exercises and exploration.An opportunity to explore improvisation in a supportive and playful environment. Find creativity and freedom as you follow the practice of great classical composers.- how to create musical structures and textures, and improvise phrases of 4 bars, 8 bars and longer<br/> - responding to other musicians through improvisation<br/> - developing short musical ideas into longer phrase<br/> - improvising melodic material over a given harmonic basis<br/> - the history and application of improvisation in classical music<br/> - improvising to silent film, words or pictures.Improvise with other musicians<br/> Create your own melodies<br/> Develop a 4 bar melodic phrase into longer pieces of music<br/> Use improvisation to be more creative and expressive in the music pieces you study<br/> Understand how improvisation can be used in classical music.For instrumental musicians who have completed at least three years of tuition on their instrument. You need to be able to play scales and arpeggios in major and minor keys up to three sharps/flats, and recognise basic musical elements such as pulse and phrase. You do not need prior experience of improvising.This class will be taught in the classroom.<br/> Tutor demonstration and explanation, and practical exercises. You will have the chance to play along with the tutor <br/> as well as individually. There will be some presentation of history and music theory.All you need is your own instrument.This short course is a supplement to the general instrumental programme, and you are encouraged to explore improvisation in your regular instrumental playing, or apply it in ensemble playing.MusicEnsemblesconfigurable
