There are thousands of subconscious calculations occurring continuously and instantaneously during every musical performance. For instance: time, tempo, feel, key, mood, etc. If we can automate or internalize the majority of the fundamental elements, they become less of a burden on the player. The solution is to train yourself, such as a martial artist would: to react instinctively to your musical “environment”.

The Tao of Improvisation trains your mind/ears/body like a martial artist to react and interact instantaneously to your performance environment. It enables you to automate and internalize the fundamental elements of improvisation thereby allowing you to focus on the creative and inspirational side of music rather than relying on your computational intellect. Works for all pitched instruments. It’s addictive because it’s based on video-game psychology of levels, goal setting and projection. Learn Jazz vocabulary in the style of the masters. Results are imminent and appear when least expected. It improves your improvisational skills while simultaneously working on many other aspects of your playing. Real-time ear training. Increases your mental “clock speed” to process music information. It’s always challenging. You select the intensity. Practice with the iRealb Pro app for Mac OS/iPhone/iPad and Android. It’s perfect for the professional player that wants to warm up with something that works on all performance elements before the gig.

Sheldon Zandboer is one of Western Canada’s finest jazz pianists, composer, arranger, instructor, music industry professional, and author. Specializing in jazz piano and widely recognized as one of Canada’s premier jazz talents, he has been working behind the scenes on many recordings, theatre projects, song writing projects, jazz concerts, sound design, and film soundtracks. Mr. Zandboer has been a Jazz Faculty member at the Mt. Royal University for the past 15 years teaching jazz piano, arranging, and ensemble skills.