Erhardt: Upon a Ground - Improvisation on Ostinato Basses (16th-18th c.)

A hands-on guide for use in class, in a group or alone. For all instruments.

At long last, a method for improvisation in Renaissance and Baroque music that is recommended by leading musicians and teachers, including Michael Schneider and Maurice van Lishout. The book provides an excellent overview - and vividly conveys the paths to "freer" music making - that is helpful not only for specialists, but also for amateurs.

“Not only does Martin Erhardt teach us how to improvise on ostinato basses in a historically informed fashion, more importantly, he offers a basic attitude towards music making, which musicians in any style and of any playing level should instantly take to heart.” Prof. Maurice van Lieshout, The Hague

“Martin Erhardt’s book … is outstanding for its clear structure; it gives a good overview of common ostinato models between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries and explains these analytically. The reader, whether
layman or expert, will fi nd in these methodical and well thoughtout instructions a most welcome and easily applicable guide.” Prof. Markus Jans, Basel

“Whether or not a musical idiom is fully understood—including the meaning of rules and regulations—is determined at the very latest, the moment one is faced with the task of expressing oneself ‘freely’— in other words, in an improvisation. … Fortunately, it is possible to educate oneself in this discipline as well and to methodically develop one’s expertise in the practice of improvisation. Martin Erhardt’s book, a product of his many years of practice, both as a performer and as a pedagog, is an important milestone. I strongly recommend it to anyone who is committed to the understanding of Early Music.” Prof. Michael Schneider, Frankfurt am Main