[MUSIC PLAYING]
When I work with students at Berklee, trying to help them interpret a song
and really open up, I find that sometimes if there's
something else in their life that they're not being open about,
they're unable to be open in their music.
So one of the exercises we do here is called emotion radio.
We just think about a color, an emotion, a situation, a word of some sort.
And everyone just expresses themselves freely.
So we're going to try a couple now.
Hope you like it.
[HUMMING]
[GRUNTS AND SHOUTS]
[GIGGLES AND HAPPY SCATTING]
The next exercise we're going to try is called round the circle.
The idea is everyone can think of just one little element.
So let's say I'm going to start with--
(SINGING) Toom toom.
Toom toom.
That's really simple.
So I start with something, and the person next to me
just adds one tiny element.
There's really no pressure.
It could be a sound.
It could be a clap, a snap, body percussion, mouth percussion.
Just any sort of idea that you have.
Don't think too much.
Just go with the flow.
Be spontaneous.
And you'll be just fine.
[HUMMING]
[SINGING RHYTHM AND MUSICAL SOUNDS]
[BODY PERCUSSION]
And finally, we're going to do more of a Bobby McFerrin style of circle singing
where there's a leader, and he or she will give parts to each group.
Now, you can go as simple or as complex as you like.
Don't hold back.
Just be yourself.
Go with the flow.
[PURRING SOUND]
[SNAPPING]
[PURRING SOUND AND SNAPPING]
[SINGING RHYTHM]
[LOW DRUM SOUNDS]
Well, my favorite thing to do while improvising and doing circle songs
is to work with large groups of people, or even two or three at a time.
That's not always possible.
Here's a great alternative.
There's a wonderful looping app that you can find on your phone.
The one that I like and use a lot is called Loopy.
I've made an exercise, and I think you're going to like this one.
OK.
Here we go.
[VARIOUS MUSICAL SOUNDS]
So you see, creating a song on your own is a really, really simple exercise.
It's fun.
You can express yourself.
You can let go of inhibition.
Remember, you have nothing to prove.
You just have to enjoy yourself and be in the moment
and let the music take you where it wants to go.
Have fun.