I've been playing piano for about 11 years, but when it comes to improvising...
I just can't do it.
Even when I learn songs by ear I write out all the parts on paper and put it
together before I can play any song properly.
My attempts at improv are usually really quite simple and I just want to get
better at it because gosh darn it it's fun! but it would be so awesome if I
could actually perform improvs too...
So, if anyone plays an instrument (preferably piano) know any tips for better
improv?
As a piano player (and former teacher), I have found one of the best sources of
improvisation inspiration is jazz. Listen to lots of it and get the gist of how
the performers apply their improvisation techniques to the harmonic structure
underneath.
A second suggestion, which I'd think might work in your situation, is to not
write out the entire melodic structure. Write out the harmonic structure
instead; pick out the chords from the music; and if you have a good
understanding of harmony and complex chord structures, use that to your
advantage (a fuller notation of chords provides you with a stronger base upon
which to improvise - e.g. C min7+9/G). When it comes time to improvise, start
with the notes making up the chord (which is why being able to fully notate it
is an advantage) and then experiment with alternatives.
Ultimately it comes down to your own preferences, ear, and a general premise I
impressed on most of my students: "If it sounds good, use it". Don't
worry about the rules of harmonic construction, as improvisation breaks most of
them.
hm....
well sometimes i just start creating my own melody, just for fun, which i think
is improvising
but when it comes to improvising something thats not mine.... well i cant do
it
i love singing and i always improvise when i sing but not when i play the piano
i have a sequencer [?just found in the dictionnary, i mean electornic piano],
which i totally hate, cuz the sound is completely different, it only has 5
octaves, but its like good to improvise, cuz i can just turn the beat on and
start playing smth
but actually i want to sell it and buy a real poiano, like i had in my childhood
:'(
pro =0
i started playing it in grade 9.. without lessons.. just cause i was bored and
wanted to play theme songs from games and anime.. 0..o... slowly worked on them
but its pretty good now... theres a limit to how far you can truly learn without
lessons =/
I've been playing piano for about 11 years, but when it comes to improvising... I just can't do it.
Even when I learn songs by ear I write out all the parts on paper and put it together before I can play any song properly.
My attempts at improv are usually really quite simple and I just want to get better at it because gosh darn it it's fun! but it would be so awesome if I could actually perform improvs too...
So, if anyone plays an instrument (preferably piano) know any tips for better improv?
As a piano player (and former teacher), I have found one of the best sources of improvisation inspiration is jazz. Listen to lots of it and get the gist of how the performers apply their improvisation techniques to the harmonic structure underneath.
A second suggestion, which I'd think might work in your situation, is to not write out the entire melodic structure. Write out the harmonic structure instead; pick out the chords from the music; and if you have a good understanding of harmony and complex chord structures, use that to your advantage (a fuller notation of chords provides you with a stronger base upon which to improvise - e.g. C min7+9/G). When it comes time to improvise, start with the notes making up the chord (which is why being able to fully notate it is an advantage) and then experiment with alternatives.
Ultimately it comes down to your own preferences, ear, and a general premise I impressed on most of my students: "If it sounds good, use it". Don't worry about the rules of harmonic construction, as improvisation breaks most of them.
Good luck...
hm....
well sometimes i just start creating my own melody, just for fun, which i think is improvising
but when it comes to improvising something thats not mine.... well i cant do it
i love singing and i always improvise when i sing but not when i play the piano
i have a sequencer [?just found in the dictionnary, i mean electornic piano], which i totally hate, cuz the sound is completely different, it only has 5 octaves, but its like good to improvise, cuz i can just turn the beat on and start playing smth
but actually i want to sell it and buy a real poiano, like i had in my childhood :'(
XD
pro =0
i started playing it in grade 9.. without lessons.. just cause i was bored and wanted to play theme songs from games and anime.. 0..o... slowly worked on them but its pretty good now... theres a limit to how far you can truly learn without lessons =/