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Dear all,
This is a wonderful forum and I am learning new things day by day. Just wanted to check if instead of signing for a course, are there some simple tips on improvisation eg. Instead of left chords, 1-3-5, play 3-5-1 etc? Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Michael

Yes, that is playing the inversion of the chord and works fine, i.e. 1-3-5 then 3-5-1 then 5-1-3 then back to 1-3-5. One for each beat would fill a 4/4 measure very nicely. Root or root octave in the left hand and inversions of the chord in the right hand -- following the chord progression is an easy enjoyable improvisation. Instead of running the same old chord progression over and over grab some fake chord or lead sheet music and use that chord progression.

Quick improvisation - Play in the Key of C (use just the white keys) get your left hand going on what ever chord progression you want to use with key of C chords, i.e. C, Am, Dm, G7, C and then use any white key for your melodic improvisation. Little better use any white key except the F and B --- you will be playing C major pentatonic notes. Or over the C chord play C major pentatonic notes, over the Am chord play Am pentatonic notes, i.e. over major chord play major pentatonic and over minor chords play the minor pentatonic. That gets you playing chord tones over the chord and is always a safe bet. Or.....

Right hand melodic phrases in the key of C - two short steps (semi-tone or one tone apart) then a skip (wider than a 3rd) remember all white keys and watch your phrasing. No need for a string of notes, that's just a string of noise.

Great example of phrasing on this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0iZ1j00wSU

Here is some free stuff.
http://video.google.com/videosearch..._result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#

Have fun.

Malcolm

Hi Michael,

I've got a free lesson you might be interested in. It's called "Reflections in Water" and shows you how to improvise with both hands right away. Just click my link below.

Jazz teachers seem to want you to start with the blues for improv - guess it's a little easier. Anyone have any suggestions on improvising the blues?

Basic 12 bar blues progression in C is:
C7///| C7///| C7///| C7///|
F7///| F7///| C7///| C7///|
G7///| F7///| C7///| C7///| to end or |G7///| to turn-a-round
http://www.bobbrozman.com/tip_evol12bar.html

The Blues scale is 1, b3, 4, #4, 5, b7 (C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb)
Mixolydian notes are often used in the Blues, especially with all dominant seventh chords.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7

Here are 101 blues licks tie them to that 12 bar blues progression:
http://www.pgmusic.com/riffaday_eb.php?riff=1

YouTube is full of blues video examples and lessons. The call and response timing is all important, so listen to a lot of Blues.
http://www.ehow.com/video_2389669_basic-12-bar-blues-piano.html

http://www.google.com/search?source...10&q=video+piano+blues+improvisation

Have fun.

Malcolm

Thanks for the great tips and links, Malcolm! I play some boogie (working on a variation of Pine Top's Boogie right now with a left-hand shuffle pattern), which is a lot of fun, but improvising with the blues is pretty new to me, so I appreciate the help. Still trying to get that "call and response" thing clear in my brain, but I don't really have it down yet.

http://www.google.com/search?source...10&q=video+piano+blues+improvisation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeNe88JC2LA

She's amazing!

Call and response - http://www.ehow.com/video_2389678_importance-style-blues-piano.html

The vocal call and response style I think is best illustrated in B. B. King's work. He calls vocally and his guitar responses melodically. It's a conversation between the two. I hear it, but, getting it to come is art. O'h well got the rest of my life.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6NE_GtM5LE&feature=related

Nothing to contribute really, just posting a link to some nice blues piano playing

Hi Michael

Nobody has recommended them already (so that probably tells its own story! )

But, I have made a number of videos with regards to beginning improvising

They may be of some use to you?

The first one is here:-

Beginning Improvising video 1 [click here]


Lee

Be careful Lee. You might be charged with advertising. A cardinal sin in these forums.

Actually Elssa is looking for the "bluesy" sound specifically. Have you worked on the blues, Lee? Would love to hear you "noodle the blues".

They're all free to watch and on youtube so, I think I'll be okay Edward


Lee

Hi Rosanna

My message was for Michael and I'm not really all that good at the blues to be honest...even after the year Ive had!


Lee