Group 4
Anyone can improvise! When classical pianists hear the word "Improvisation," they often think of learning fancy jazz scales or studying the rule of the octave. But improvisation doesn't have to be intimidating! In this two-week intensive, pianist Jeremy Siskind will demonstrate how to improvise a twenty-four measure ABA tune without being a jazz or historical improv genius. Topics covered will include standard chord progressions, left-hand patterns, use of arpeggios, adding color using non-chord tones, and exercises for two-handed coordination.
Pianists of all levels are welcome.
More Detailed instructions coming soon!
- Sign-Up : April 12 - April 15
- Course Period: April 17 - May 1
- Class Size: max. 4 Groups 谩 10 Participants
- Optional check-In via Zoom: April 26th 1:30pm - 2:30pm PT
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85277587596?pwd=V1ZBN0ozZ2ZWQ1QraU5JR24yRXBNUT09
Assignment 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiDUR1esb70
For the assignment:
1) Learn the given chord progression in Eb major and C minor | I | IV | V7/V | V | V/IV | IV | V | I |
2) Create 4-6 contrasting left hand accompaniment patterns and practice them in both Eb major and C minor
3) Practice improvising limiting yourself to just the arpeggios (notes of the chords)
4) Ask "what if" questions to spark different improvisation ideas
Assignment 2
For the assignment:
1) Beautify your melody through lower chromatic neighbors, scale passages, and ornaments.
2) Think orchestrally - use more of the piano to create orchestral framing, including unisons, chorales, left-hand melodies, and upper-register passages.
3) Put it all together! Practice creating contrasting ABA improvisations, making sure to add transitions between the sections.
Zoom Meeting Checkin Video:
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This is a reply to Assignment 1 - and the hardest part for me is to figure out how to make a video and upload it here. So it was indeed challenging- more technically than musically - but it can only get better. And I'm learning. I'll try to send a few more that begin to work the musical aspect. thanks for your patience.
https://youtu.be/hwZ56old_OU-
NANCY M Well done Nancy - good use of the chords and a pleasing melody. Great that you figured out how to create your YouTube channel. I created mine so long ago I don't remember how I did it.
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Ken Radford Thanks for the encouragement Ken. It's all very humbling.
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Peter Golemme Thanks for the feedback Peter. It was a very different experience than when I was just practicing. I was still working on the progression in all keys- and when I made the video I was more concerned about the phone that was leaning precariously on a metronome! My first try was mostly about courage. I'll keep trying. it's a steep leaning curve and I know enough to know that we're all pretty myopic when it's that steep - ie I'm learning a lot - and that's what I came for.
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NANCY M You're doing it! Congratulations - you're doing it and your improvisation had this really beautiful somber mood to it. I'd recommend trying to practice improvisation with a metronome/steady beat, as you would with a repertoire piece. I always tell my students that practicing without a metronome is like playing tennis without a net. You can be "successful" every time, but the success isn't nearly as meaningful as if you play with the net. My other comment is to suggest you make a bigger contrast between your A & B sections so that you help the listener hear and perceive the overall form. Bravo!
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Here is my attempt so far. It's not exactly as requested as I had to try to understand music theory as well as attemp to use Sibelius for the first time. I got 1/4 through assignment 1 and could not resist adding a melody to my open chordal structure. I then noticed that I had not completed the remaining 4 bars of the first section. Due to time contraints I jumped straight to the minor key and stuck to the melody notes within the chord as instructed. I found the exercise exhilarating and think I'm just on the cusp of grasping music theory but it's still like trying to focus on a mirage. I thought my first attempts at notating were ok after viewing only 1 tutorial.
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Richard Caley Well done Richard. It sounds great! And, by the way, I know that feeling - it makes me smile (swear more like) every time :)
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Richard Caley Love this Richard - very pretty!!! And Sibelius would be proud - lovely platform - so clear.
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Richard Caley I remember this one from the office hour. Very memorable melody and style! I hope to hear a full version of this before too long!
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Here is my second take. I have a thing about left-hand root, 5, 10s and I use them here.
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Ken Radford Lovely, Ken. It's beautifully spaced out and totally logical! Your next big challenge is *contrast* - how can you add to this (or edit it) to include a little bit more variation. Well done!
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Jeremy Siskind Thanks again Jeremy. I have a feeling that there is a point somewhere between totally logical and totally chaotic/unexpected that I might be aiming for next.
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Ken Radford I look forward to hearing it, Ken! Congrats on your progress!
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Looking forward to today's video check in (April 26). I'll be joining from Boston from my office at the end of my work day (4:30PM Eastern). At about 5:15 pm Eastern I'll have to leave for my train & will try to catch the remainder of the workshop on my phone while commuting. If you notice that I abruptly drop out of the meeting and stop communicating, that will be why, but hopefully I'll still be able to continue as an observer after that!
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Hi All,
Here is my latest submission to the ABA improvisation course. looking forward to meeting and hearing your progress.
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Richard Caley Well done Richard. Very well put together.
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Feeling mellow today so changed the chords a bit and improvised a melody. Rather than spending hours trying to get it "right", I went with the first take.
