How You Can Improvise at the Piano From Day One

“Oh, I’m not musically inclined.”  

 “I wouldn’t know what to play.”

“You don’t want to hear me try to make music.” 

Sound familiar? An ill-informed decision has already been made, “I can’t make music.” 

Yes, you can! 

I’m happy to inform you: EVERYONE possesses the innate ability to express themselves musically at the piano! 

We are all born with the innate ability of creative expression.  Somewhere along the line in our development we start to compare.  The wiggling, giggling, dancing, singing, creative little self starts to think, “But someone else can do it better.” Music is meant for sharing, not comparing.  The world needs your musical expression. YOU need your musical expression. 

From the first piano interview and the first piano lesson, I employ improvisation.  While there is always value in another beautiful interpretation of Chopin, Bach, Debussy, Beethoven…. I would much rather hear your music. Having taught hundreds of students - children and adults - I have found all individuals are able to improvise freely.

Perhaps you enrolled your children or yourself in piano lessons.  Maybe you are a supportive family member.  Maybe you have been meaning to dust off that family piano for some time…..   

Let’s Improvise

At first glance, the piano keyboard may look incredibly intimidating. Set your eyes on the black keys, though, and you quickly notice a pattern of 2’s and 3’s.  Close your eyes and feel the height difference. Play the 2’s and 3’s as groups with both hands.  Play them one at a time.  Repeat, move, make a happy mess.  Careful, don’t look down….You’re  improvising! 

“But what about my left hand?”  

For any improviser, I enjoy comparing the hands to a tennis match.  Begin your match with a depressed damper pedal (far right pedal).  Serve with one hand, volley back with the other. Close your eyes, listen, react, breathe. The less you think, the easier it becomes for your inner-improviser to take charge.  When your “tennis-match” is over, release your pedal.  

“Will it really sound good?”  

YES!  The black keys form the pentatonic scale.  A scale that is used across cultures, continents and centuries.  A scale that some researchers - through ancient bone instruments - trace back over 50,000 years.  (You read that correctly!) 

Take the plunge.  Bring some improvised music into your home. It’s already there within you. 

Happy Piano Playing! 

Joe Harkins