Musical improv

Musical improv is improv where lyrics and/or melodies are created in the moment.

In musical improv, performers create all of the lyrics on the spot most often with live music accompaniment. This includes short-form games and long-form shows that attempt to re-create musical theater using improv.

Warmups and games

• Beastie Boys Rap
• Bad Rap
• Hot Spot

Song forms

• Tagline song
• Verse/chorus songs

Teams and Shows

• Baby Wants Candy
• Freestyle Love Supreme - Broadway rap improv show created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, and Anthony Veneziale
• iMusical - Washington, DC
• North Coast - New York City
• Rumpleteaser - New York, NY
• Thank You, Places - Philadelphia, PA

New York Musical Improv Festival

The New York Musical Improv Festival (NYMIF) is a four-day festival held at the Magnet Theater in New York City.

Books

• How to Write Funny Lyrics: The Comedy Songwriting Manual
• Musical Direction for Improv and Sketch Comedy
• Musical Improv Comedy: Creating Songs in the Moment