If you’re a pianist and you’re anything like me, you’ll know that sometimes, that sense of freedom and escapism at the keys comes from closing the book, feeling the music, and just improvising.
When I was a child learning piano, I really didn’t like learning the grade pieces – I did, to get through the exams, but I much preferred making up my own tunes. And the way to do that was through improvising with different scales and chords.
Improvisation isn’t limited to jazz, though jazz improvisation is extremely impressive; it can be used in many different ways. There’s a massive element of improvisation in the creation of music – that’s how something comes from nothing – and it can be a great way to get to know the piano better and understand key signatures.
If you’re in a band or ensemble, learning how to improvise will also mean you can play solos and add something extra to the music.
In this guide, I’ll teach you my top tips for learning how to improvise on piano. Whether you’re a beginner yourself or a parent wanting to inspire their child, this article is for you.
Key takeaways
In a rush? Here are our top tips for improvising on piano:
- Get to know your scales
- Find chord progressions you like
- Listen to piano music
- Learn some rhythmic variations
- Add embellishments
- Know the power of an octave
- Lose all inhibitions – it’s OK to play a duff note!
How to improvise on piano
1. Get to know your scales
The foundation of all music: key signature, or more specifically, scales. In order to improvise freely on the piano, you need to know what parameters you’re working within.
Knowing the key of the piece of music you’re improvising to, or the music you want to compose, is fundamental, as this will inform the scales you can run away with.
Let’s start very simply. Say you’re working in a C Major signature, you have the C major scale available to you: C D E F G A B. Go to town on these notes, and creation will fit.
The relative minor of C major is A minor, again, a scale with no sharps or flats, so you know that this is the key to move to if you want to take the piece’s mood in a new direction.
I recommend really practising your scales – they’re boring, but the payoff is worth it. You’ll have a good understanding of music and harmony and will be able to improvise in any key.
2. Find chord progressions you like
If you want to develop your composition skills, this one is for you. To preface it though, I will say, don’t limit yourself to just one or two chord progressions – you might find it hard to naturally move to anything else!
However, what I do recommend is that you get to know the progressions you like and the kinds of moods they evoke. For example, a classic pop progression is I-V-vi-IV, whereas a jazz progression is ii7-V7-I7.
When you have an idea of which chord you’re going to next, you can sculpt out your improvisation in real time. And I’m not talking about specific chords. This is why you need to know your scales first, so that whatever key you’re working in, you know which chords to move to.
Of course, if you’re soloing in a piece of music, the chord progressions may have already been laid out for you.
3. Listen to piano music
It seems obvious, but if you want to feel inspired, listen to some piano music! You’ll inevitably pick up some tricks, learn what techniques and sounds you like, and the kind of music you want to create.
You could listen to some jazz pianists, like Art Tatum, for a real showcase of improvisation, film music for an idea of how moods are captured by the keys, or even minimalist music to hear how the piano can build on just a few drones and repetitive patterns.
4. Learn some rhythmic variations
Now on to the technical stuff. Something that works really well in improvisation is just a few rhythmic variations. Try taking the main melody and lengthening or shortening some notes.
You could start with a piece of music you already know well and work with the melody, adding syncopation, drawing out notes, or adding a swing feel, for example.
5. Add embellishments
As well as rhythmic variations, embellishments are great ways to inject more interest into your improvisation. You could add some trills, grace notes, or arpeggiation to your chords. Going a step further, you might choose to change the vibe of a section of the music by playing notes with a staccato (detached) or legato (smooth) feel.
6. Know the power of an octave
Octaves can bring some really intense emotion in music.
If you need to take your improvisation to another level but you’re unsure where to go, try playing the same section of music again, but with an added octave above. Suddenly, and with very little change, the music can sound extremely powerful, with a fuller texture than before.
Alternatively, you might choose not to add an octave but just move the melody. If you want to make the piece feel more delicate, play the melody high up the piano, at the top of the treble clef – this can sound super twinkly and beautiful. On the other hand, if you want a bigger impact, move the melody to the low end of the bass clef.
7. Lose all inhibitions – it’s OK to play a duff note!
The last thing to remember is to have fun! Playing the piano is extremely rewarding, and you should strive to always make it enjoyable. This means that when learning how to improvise, don’t get hung up on any slow progress, and don’t stop when you land on a wrong note.
Keep going and work that wrong note into the piece – it might turn out to be the solution you needed for changing key!
Having a jam with your ensemble can lead to all sorts of sounds and textures – have fun with this and don’t hold back for fear of getting things wrong!
FAQs
Is piano tough to learn?
The piano can be a difficult instrument to learn in the very early stages. Some pianists find it easier than others, but overall, it is very rewarding. Plus, unlike instruments such as the guitar or flute, the piano lays out all the notes in front of you, which makes it great for learning music theory.
What is the 80/20 rule in piano?
The 80/20 rule in piano practice means that a pianist focuses on just 20% of the piece of music they’re learning, i.e., the trickiest passages or techniques. This contributes to 80% of progress.
Is playing piano good for mental health?
Playing the piano is a brilliant stress reliever and form of escapism, which contributes to good mental health. Find out more in our guide to the benefits of playing piano.
Final thoughts
Thinking of taking your piano playing beyond the book? Knowing how to improvise on piano is a very useful skill to have that boosts your understanding of the instrument and music theory, allows you to just “let go” when playing, and increases creativity. The main thing to remember is to have fun and see where it takes you!
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