Ken Zuckerman’s long-time research into the practices of improvisation in both western and eastern music have given him a unique perspective on teaching this subject. For example, his courses at the Music Academy of Basel on “modal improvisation” use the source material of Indian melodic modes (ragas) to initiate western music students into the techniques of improvisation. Students usually first learn these basic skills vocally and then later, apply them to their instruments

This work can also be presented in the form of workshops for music students who have had little or no experience with learning improvisaiton. In this case 1 or 2 day sessions are taught instrumentally, which enables the students to execute the basics more easily.