Improvisation While Learning To Play Piano

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Improvisation While Learning To Play Piano

You have to admit, it is enjoyable to put practice music to one side, and play any music you feel like. However, it may be difficult to find the sheet music for every song you enjoy. There are two ways to overcome this predicament, and they are related in a way. One is to use a Fake Book, and the other is to learn improvisation techniques.

“Fake Books” are available in music stores, or can be ordered from the internet. You can also get a version of the same concept when you come across a simple notation of a song. Be aware that when using a Fake Book, it only contains two ways to help you. To start with, a melody line in the treble clef will be illustrated. This will usually only show one note at a time – no chords – and it will be a simplified version of the song.

The second thing you will get with this simple music is a letter above the staff. The letter signifies the chord you are to play in the bass clef and could possibly add to the treble clef if you are skilled enough. There will be a letter above the staff each time the chord changes.

If you have thoroughly learned the chords, you put yourself in good enough steed to easily use a Fake Book. Straight chords can be used, or simply invert them. They can be played as running chords, meaning each note is played separately but in order. You can come up with any rhythm you choose for the bass clef.

The Fake Book may require that you put your creative skills to work. It’s up to you and your knowledge of the song to figure out which notes have been left out. Because of this, it is almost your job to create the music from scratch. One good thing is that new, up-to-date Fake Books are produced regularly, and include many modern songs.

Yet, if you want to really come up with your own original song or instrumental piece, you can do it better by learning to improvise. It does sound difficult to learn the theory of improvisation, but it’s okay to begin with the knowledge you already possess. You need to know mainly about scales and chords.

Choose a scale to work from. A C scale may be the easiest for you since it is all on the white keys. Next, choose some chords within that scale. For the C major scale, common chords to use are F major and G major. This is because they do not have any sharps or flats in them.

Create your own chord progression. A nice order would be C-F-G-C. Practice playing these chords with your left hand. The base chords are usually played below middle C, but that is not a rule by any means. They can be played wherever seems right to you. They can be played inverted or as simple triads. Play them in any sequence. Play until they come naturally.

After you’ve become comfortable with the progression of the chords, next step is the creation of the melody. Take one note at a time, and play these with your right hand, eventually forming a melody line. It may not seem like music at first but if you keep trying you will eventually come up with an interesting melody line.

You can also improvise on a melody you know. For example, if you wanted to play Jingle Bells but you do not have the music at hand. The melody can be easily picked out. After you’ve chosen the melody this way, chords can be fit to the melody simply based on the melodies scale of key. If you do not have sheet music these are ways to play without it.

Learning to play the piano is easy, even for a beginner. One possible starting point is the no-obligation course at Learning To Play Piano Today. Check them out today, and enjoy your new found skill.