S.P.I.T. or sometimes simply called SPIT is a methodology developed by Drs. Mark and Jane Shellhammer, is a specific way of learning

musical improvisation Musical improvisation (also known as musical extemporization) is the creative activity of immediate ("in the moment") musical composition, which combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental technique as well as spontaneous ...

. The letters S.P.I.T. is an

acronym An acronym is a word or name formed from the initial components of a longer name or phrase. Acronyms are usually formed from the initial letters of words, as in ''NATO'' (''North Atlantic Treaty Organization''), but sometimes use syllables, as ...

for Scale, Pattern, Inversion, and Triad and usually pertains to the first four chord types which include Major 7, Dominant 7, Minor 7, and Half-Diminished expressed in all twelve

key signatures In Western musical notation, a key signature is a set of sharp (), flat (), or rarely, natural () symbols placed on the staff at the beginning of a section of music. The initial key signature in a piece is placed immediately after the clef a ...

. The use of SPIT methodology involves matching the scale, pattern, inversion, and triad to the key signature of the song that requires improvisation. The methodology allows the musician to scan the SPIT page that matches the key signature of the song for improvisational embellishments that can be applied during rests or whole notes in the melody."Conquering Giant Steps, Master Coltrane Harmony by Deconstructing One of the Most Revered and Feared Standards In jazz History" by Cory Christiansen
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References

{{Musical improvisation, date=January 2008 Music education Musical techniques