Classes with Michael Pollock and Joshua Funk
You can get expert training in the art of musical improv comedy at The Second City Los Angeles! Even you have no musical background, expect to acquire new skills quickly and have a great time doing it.
Co-taught by Second City LA musical director Michael Pollock and artistic director Joshua Funk, these 8-week classes show you the building blocks of spontaneously-created songs and how to use them to entertain an audience. Get ready to laugh a LOT while you learn to improvise and collaborate musically. We offer beginning and advanced levels.
Click or call 323 464-8542 to find out how to enroll!
November 18th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Musical Improv is the closest thing to magic that I’ve ever done in my life - and we’re not talking about pulling rabbits out of hats or chopping women in half - we’re talking about the creation of something extraordinary and unique that will never happen again.
If you want to be a part of this magic the best thing you can do is take a class with Michael and Josh!
November 18th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I couldn’t agree more. When it works (even sometimes when it doesn’t) it’s the best thing in the world.
Check out this clip of The Newtonics from 2000 (with Michael Pollock on piano, Jeff Davis, Joe Whyte and Michael Schoolcraft singing) to see a good example of absolute synthesis in an improvised song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eCqevSNeNE
Cheers!
Joe Whyte
November 18th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Mike and Joe above speak the truth:
…as if we weren’t having enough fun already just improvising
…the icing on the cake…Musical Improv!!!
Took my first Musical Improv class last November 2007 and have continued ever since. It’s been an absolute blast from the beginning…the process itself is a joy. The opportunity to study with Michael Pollack and Joshua Funk..amazing!
AND…I’ve found that as you acquire incrementally more knowledge of the genre the fun exponentially increases. From the most basic to the more advanced… the performance is …magic!
November 19th, 2008 at 7:59 am
I concur a million fold with what’s been said above. As someone who comes from a Musical Theatre background and who left it because she had lost the joy in it…Musical Improv brought the joy back in Technicolor. Being able to combine my skills as a musical performer with my improvising skills is beyond satisfying and I continue to learn and discover delicious new things every single time I get up on stage. Wish I could do it more!! In short, IT ROCKS.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Great to hear these eloquent comments from you musical improv junkies! Your comments will encourage many to investigate the subject and get in on the euphoria.
Josh and I both get untold personal reward from teaching these classes; it’s such a trip to see improvisors crawl, walk, run, and finally FLY as they become fluent with the skills involved.
Thanks for confirming that our approach is fun and produces results. Your voices are invaluable - please continue to contribute your thoughts about the content on this site!