Thunderstorm (Improv)

Here is a quick, no-prep improv to do with students. All of mine enjoyed it.

The student can use any key on the keyboard. They’ll be using their imagination to play something that sounds appropriate, as you talk them through a thunderstorm. If possible, they should be playing continuously.

The teacher will talk through these steps:

• First, the rain is far away and not very loud.
• Gradually, it comes closer, so that the first raindrops actually fall on you.
• The rain grows steadily faster and louder until you are drenched in a downpour.
• Suddenly, there is a thunderclap! (But the rain continues.)
• And another thunderclap!
• There is a brief lull, as the rain lessens.
• With another thunderclap, the rain comes back in full force.
• The wind blows in fits and starts.
• Gradually, the rain moves off, getting softer and lighter as it fades into the distance.
• Until you are left with only a rainbow.

It’s quite interesting to see how many different effects different students come up with, following this same pattern.