Freescaling is improvising that sounds good from Day One.
Of course, becoming an expert improviser takes time. But wouldn’t it be great to sound good while you get there? With Freescaling, you can start playing around — literally — on the very first day.
Beginning improvisers don’t yet know how to generate ideas or utilize mistakes. That’s why Freescaling’s “freedom within structure” approach is so powerful.
As you (or your students) begin to freescale, you’ll hear your playing begin to change almost immediately. That’s because thinking like an improviser changes your relationship with music. Sure, it’s a great way to learn theory and technique. But most transformative is the feeling that, when you sit down at the piano, you belong there. You are a creator. That’s what Freescaling is all about.
“Failure” literally ceases to be an option.
If you know how to listen, musical “mistakes” are a gift. The unexpected gets us out of our usual patterns and presents possibilities our everyday brain wouldn’t have reached. The so-called “wrong” note just becomes something interesting to play with.
In music as in life, improvisation is about playing with the unexpected. Freescaling scaffolds this process by helping you develop your ear and your understanding of how music is structured. As you explore and experiment within the framework, creativity and knowledge of theory develop hand in hand.
As Miles Davis said: “One mistake is a mistake. Three mistakes are jazz.”
Get ready for the secrets of Breaking Loose…
Breaking Loose — the first module of Freescaling — is a simple song that anyone can learn by rote, with all kinds of step-by-step tools and techniques for improvising built in.
Once students have absorbed these tools, they’ll be able to find the major scale, major triad, and relative minor of any key… start using rhythm as a building block to create ideas… play along with a backing track… experiment with phrasing… and begin to appreciate their mistakes as a source of creation.
Michael Katz, the creator of Freescaling, has been a jazz musician for 70 years, and a teacher for 40. He says: “I can state with confidence: Everyone can learn to improvise. And the way to start is to think like an improviser.” Breaking Loose sets you (and your students) on your way.
“Everyone can improvise” price:
only $20
- Web-based program works with any browser
- Optimized for mobile (especially tablet)
- Includes audio player & backing tracks
- Easy-to-follow, step-by-step pedagogy
- Features the unique Rhythmetrics chooser (also known as the Amazing Idea Generator)
- Stand-alone module also leads naturally to the rest of the Freescaling universe
We’ve priced Breaking Loose this low because we want absolutely everyone to be able to afford it. If you’re a teacher, please feel free to use Breaking Loose with all your students during lessons. If students are going to be using Breaking Loose at home, for fun and practice, we ask that each student buys an individual login. Thank you!
Thoughts, questions or comments? We can always be found at getfreescaling@gmail.com.
The 5-minute habit
One nice thing about Freescaling is that it can be used in small, compact playing sessions. Freescaling just five minutes a day can pay big dividends over time. The 5-minute habit is also a great daily practice assignment between lessons.
Build a rhythmic repertoire
Rhythmetrics is a rhythm laboratory. With over 100 one-measure phrases at their fingertips, you easily create and use thousands of combinations. Everyone loves it — beginners and experienced improvisers alike.
Perfect for laptop or tablet
The Freescaling web-based app is ideal for tablet — which works great in a lesson — but was also designed to work perfectly on your desktop computer, your laptop, and even your phone. Generate ideas wherever you go.
300+ backing tracks
With 25+ tracks per Key, you stay interested. Major tracks, minor tracks, swing tracks, Latin tracks… tracks from 80 to 158 beats per minute. The different types of tracks lead naturally to different types of invention and experimentation.
Want to know more about Freescaling?
Breaking Loose is part of the Freescaling universe of improvising tools. Above all, Freescaling is a practical method, with step-by-step tools and techniques that open new paths to creativity and an applied understanding of music theory. The unique online Rhythmetrics™ engine offers you a structure for the endless generation of ideas. As the imaginary line between improvising and “regular playing” disappears, your playing and your teaching become naturally infused with creativity and enjoyment.
The creator of Breaking Loose, composer and educator Michael Katz, not only freescales every day himself but also uses the program in his piano studio. Here’s a clip from a recent lesson. The student is using Module 2, the Playing Field, which students graduate to once they’ve completed Breaking Loose. You’ll hear him using Freescaling tools like backing tracks and the Rhythmetrics engine — what we call the “amazing idea generator.”
The Freescaling System: All Modules
Breaking Loose and the other Freescaling modules were created because so many teachers talked to us about their own discomfort with improvising. Yet teachers, who know music theory, are in a perfect position to put theory into action! Freescaling bridges the gap and makes it clear just how natural improvising can feel. In fact, it’s so much fun to make music by ear that, once you start, you may not want to stop! Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Bye-bye, intimidation. Hello, improvisation.
Breaking Loose and the other Freescaling modules were created because so many teachers talked to us about their own discomfort with improvising. Yet teachers, who know music theory, are in a perfect position to put theory into action!
Freescaling bridges the gap and makes it clear just how natural improvising can feel. In fact, it’s so much fun to make music by ear that, once you start, you may not want to stop. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.