Week 1: Kickoff! Start Improvising with F-E-D
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- Classical Improviser
Welcome to the first week of "Imagination on the Piano: Improvising Classically with George Ko"!
This is the thread for posting the submissions and assignments for the first week. Watch the first Livestream to learn more about the Week One Assignments!
This underrated, rarely utilized chord progression in the traditional classical repertoire unlocks the entire world of improvisation. See how just 3 chords can get you improvising instantly with the piano knowledge you already have.
Week One Assignment
Watch the first Livestream! Share a quick 20-30s improv using the chords F, E, and D (all qualities, Major, Minor, Major 7th, welcome!). Just use your iPhone to record, and remember, all mistakes welcome! (This is a safe space!)
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Here is a better one. - sorry, getting files confused!
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Susan Rogers Thank you Susan. I thought yours was very effective as well!
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- Classical Improviser
Angela Fogg I echo Sindre Skarelven very Amelie esque, love the use of rhythym in the left hand, really sets the mood. This could be the intro of a french film/cinemativ anime. well done! One thing that could be cool is that repeated falling 3rd motif you use, if you could incorporate that elsewhere, like in the left hand, that would add another layer ontop. Brava!
- Classical Improviser
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Thank you Sindre. I have been playing and listening to French music a lot recently so maybe it has filtered through somehow!
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Leaving all perfectionism behind, here is an impro over FED :)
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Sindre Skarelven This is so nice. Started with simple 3 notes and progress to something unexpected. I wish I could try it.
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CK Thank you, CK! Yes, just started to play and see what happens. It鈥檚 a fun exercise!
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- Classical Improviser
Sindre Skarelven love how you start the improv, very nocturne esque, and I see the rhythm in the left hand evolved into a more dotted-quarter groove, very nice. I think the one thing I would add is to see how you can create more sections in your improv, like an intro, 2nd theme, developing that theme into the main theme, etc. Very nice use of mixture in the middle, definitely gives that mysterious jazzy-ravel esque feel and love the strength in the climax.
- Classical Improviser
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George Ko Thank you, George! Great to get some concrete feedback,, will work on this for the next assignment!
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Sindre Skarelven Really nice Sindre. I didn't have a chance to listen prior to today's session, but this has the flow of spontaneity in the midst of structure that defines improvisation (to me anyway), with both RH and LH parts evolving. Do I detect a hint of Hovhaness in the sound? Really enjoyed it & looking forward to more! also appreciated your insightful comments at today's session..
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Sindre Skarelven this is fantastic, Sindre!
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Peter Golemme thank you so much, Peter! Very much enjoyed your comments in the live stream too! Not sure about Hovhaness, maybe you can enlighten me? I am struggling a bit with pain/tentions in some joints in my left hand, so have not been practicing for a while actually. But hope I can keep participating in the challenge. Maybe focus deeply on right hand stuff? :)
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Andrea Buckland Thank you so much, Andrea!
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Sindre Skarelven Hi Sindre, Alan Hovhaness was an American born composer from the 20th century. He was very prolific with literally hundreds of opus's. After starting down a path of traditional compositional style, he tore up his compositions and started exploring mysticism and non-Western forms of music. He wrote many piano pieces, and I have a recording featuring a "Pastoral" Op. 96 and "Visionary Landscapes" Op. 214. Your improv was reminiscent to me of some of the harmonies he used in these pieces. particluarly the adjacent F and E chords within an E tonality -- something this exercise prompts us to explore --- what I'm referring to as a "Phrygian" sound.. Hovhaness used this device a lot in his effort to write music for conventional instruments but move away from traditional Western European scales & harmonies.
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Sindre Skarelven Take care of that left hand! give it a break & don't try to play through pain. Yes perhaps it's an opportunity to work on the Improv rather than practice your traditional pieces. You can get away with a basic pedal point or ostinato in the LH outlining the harmonies and explore various harmonic & melodic options with the RH.
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Peter Golemme Very interesting to learn about Hovhaness, Peter! I will have a listen. I鈥檓 also influenced by eastern/exotic sounds, and like to explore different types of colors particularly when playing jazz.
Also, great suggestion using pedal-points for resting the LH! That is a nice setup for exploring patterns and melodies with RH. I will just steer away from something that creates to much tension on LH, and hope for a full recovery soon.
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OK here is my posting based on George's Week 1 request. I stick mostly to the chords Fmaj7-Em7-Dm7 as suggested, but I step back up to Em7 before getting back to Fmaj7 to restart the progression, because the motif seemed to demand that. the tonality is mostly E-based Phrygian mode, but in deference to my question about the key, I conclude in C major, without much advance warning! (P.S. this is the same thing I posted on the FAQ thread)
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- Classical Improviser
Peter Golemme Just replied in the other thread, well done!
- Classical Improviser
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Peter Golemme Amazing stuff, Peter! You go straight into a very virtuous RH- pattern in a convincing way, and bring in the melody under it in a Rachmaninov type of fashion. Lovely! Also the the way you use the left hand to create interesting patterns and be part of the melody. Brilliant!
Looking forward to the next one! -
Peter Golemme Wow! Awesome technique and a very evocative feeling!
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Gail Starr Thank you very much Gail. I struggle so much with my technique but am always working on it. From years of playing in noisy venues I developed some bad habits of simulating big effects without quite mastering them! I'm hoping through Tonebase that I will be able to improve my technique. For my improvs I'm also seeking to move beyond the structure of the pop/jazz song format and develop the ability to improvise in a 'classical' style. George's workshop and interacting with all of the participants has been extremely stimulating in that regard.
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- Classical Improviser
Hi Everyone! Looking forwarrd to the 2nd workshop in just a few hours! I'm sorry I didn't get a notification from all your lovely posts! Reading through the thread now, just lovely playing everyone! Stay tuned for specific replies :)
Also, quick note today, we're going to go a little bit more in the history of improvising, why we used to do it, and why we stopped :( and why we're going to change the classical music scene and do it again :) we're going to look at techniques and borrow from our favorite classical composers, and as always, ask any questions you may have! - Classical Improviser
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Just manage to record this last minute , and due to unsure reason, I just got to post in YouTube, and from there to share via the link.
*Forgive me for added 1-2 extra chords in between. Hope it still match the melody.
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CK Great impro, CK! Very lovely and melodic playing.
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Sindre Skarelven thanks for the comment. And glad that you enjoyed it.
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CK beautiful, CK! It sounds very French somehow. I love it.
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