This two-day workshop offers an introduction and guided tour of jazz improvisation through the methods of the Labyrinth of Limitations, built on the frameworks of Barry Harris. Students will come away with a deeper understanding of how to build a structured practice for developing improvisational fluency.

 

This is a hands-on workshop, open to all instruments and appropriate for different levels of experience, provided the minimum prerequisites below are met. Participants should bring their instruments for both days. We will play together throughout the workshop, beginning with accessible fundamentals and learning how these materials can be developed into beautiful phrases in improvisation.

 

Day 1 – Building Blocks of the Labyrinth System

 

First half: Polyphony and the Elevator System

An introduction to polyphonic improvisation through Scales of Chords and the Elevator, exploring how simple harmonic materials can become fluid and expressive musical movement.

 

Second half: Monophony – Essential Materials for Soloing

An introduction to the core melodic materials and practice methods we use for building lines and developing fluency in single-note improvisation.

 

Day 2 – Deeper Explorations: Making It Speak

 

First half: Polyphony – Creating Color and Playing Movement

Building on the first day, we will explore ways of creating color, movement, and more personal expression with our polyphonic materials.

 

Second half: Monophony – Building Lines and Playing Changes

We will develop our melodic materials into longer lines, learning to connect ideas through harmonic movement and improvise more freely over changes.

 

Minimum prerequisites

 

Participants should be able to:

 

 

No previous experience with the Labyrinth of Limitations or Barry Harris's methods is required. While familiarity with the Foundations textbooks is helpful, it is not necessary for participating in this workshop. Foundations books can be purchased separately through the links below for those who are interested.