Pentatonic Improv
Imagine a collection of notes that would sound good regardless of when or how you played it. Such a thing exists. It is called the pentatonic scale and it is one of the great secrets of improvisation....
View ArticleBright Blues Scale Improv
In a previous post, I discussed the pentatonic scale as a collection of “fallback” notes for improvisation that will sound good in almost any style or chord progression that stays in one key. Scale...
View ArticleTalk to the Hand
One of the most consistent challenges beginning improvisers face is keeping track of the form while playing creatively. If you’ve ever watched a middle school jazz ensemble, it is common for a young...
View ArticleEven Young Kids Can Create at the Piano: 3 Easy Tips for Getting Started
I’m happy to welcome Kristin Jensen as a guest writer. Kristin is a piano teacher who specializes in teaching younger children how to create their own music. Her philosophy of mixing creativity with...
View ArticleHow a classically trained pianist learned to improvise
My friend, colleague, and co-founder of 88 Creative Keys improvisation workshops, Leila Viss has been writing weekly blogs full of fun ideas about teaching piano for quite some time. In addition to...
View ArticleImprovising Easy Introductions
A good musical introduction creates anticipation for the listener by suggesting the key and style of a tune about to be played. Ready? Set, Go! The easiest way to set up a tune is to play a V7 intro...
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