What Works Best in New Age Piano Improvisation

Many students want to know how to improvise. What they really want to know is how to be able to keep an improvisation going.

It's not difficult to begin. You just play a chord or two and that's that. But what happens to many students after a few seconds is they don't know what to do next. They get "stuck." Why? Because they are thinking about what to play. Wrong approach!

For example, in Lesson 12: "Coral Reef," we have 2 chords, A minor and F Major. And with these 2 chords, music is made. This improvisation lasts for a few minutes but could have gone on much longer.

You see, what works best in New Age piano improvisation (or any improvisation) is for the person improvising to be in the moment. This is most easily done when the technical aspects are taken care of (i.e., only having 2 chords to play) and letting go of the need to control the outcome.

Think of building a sandcastle as an example. Children love to build sandcastles. Do they spend years learning how? Of course not! Once they know the fundamentals, they forget about how to do it and focus on the pleasure it gives them. Most adults wait too long before diving in. They're scared that they will fail and that they will discover they have no talent. But talent is not the issue - you're sense of joy and discovery is!

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lesson s.html for a FREE piano lesson!

---

Motorhead Inferno

Motorhead-"Inferno"-Review by Les Lewellyn When David Grohl... Read More

Buying A Guitar

There are many things to consider when buying a new... Read More

An Interview with Angus Young of ACDC - Why He Plays a Gibson SG

Steven: Maybe more than any other guitarist ever, you're inextricably... Read More

Guitar Practice - Make It Your Priority!

Every student realizes that guitar practice is important if they... Read More

To Record or Not To Record - At Home, That Is

I will be honest. I am addicted to music recording.... Read More

Irish Fiddle Ornaments

When I started playing jigs, my default bowing pattern made... Read More

How to Play What you Feel

Many students think that being able to play what you... Read More

Just 3 Chords? No Way!

A student wrote me an email about the lesson "Ocean... Read More

Creating Within Limits

When I first started playing the piano I wanted to... Read More

Creating Stark Atmospheres

One of the things New Age pianist George Winston is... Read More

Bluegrass Music - Alive and Well in the Appalachians

One of the Appalachian Mountain region's greatest contributions to the... Read More

How to Make State-of-the-Art Video Singles Cheaply

When it comes to promoting their new music releases, I... Read More

Creating Your Own Unique Music

Have you ever dreamed of penning your own compositions? Writing... Read More

Music and Emotion

The Age-old Puzzle of Human ResponseIf you've listened to more... Read More

The Death-Defying Warehouse Party Life: An Interview by William of Orange

About an entire local music industry that's rarely heard from,... Read More

Born into musical family, Michael Jackson is as big as ever today

Michael Jackson was born Michael Joseph Jackson on August 29,... Read More

Interested in Improving the Sound of Your Stereo? Consider Records

Introduced in 1982, the compact disc was intended to provide... Read More

Music & Emotions: Can Music Really Make You a Happier Person?

How many times have you turned to music to uplift... Read More

Formation of a Song (Recording)

As industry insiders, we sometimes forget that when discussing the... Read More

How Piano Lessons Benefit Young Children

Piano lessons provide a wide range of benefits to young... Read More

Hip Hop Clothing

Celebrities now such as Outkast, a fashion wear can be... Read More

Its Jewish Music, But Is The Music Jewish?

A while back I was driving along the Jerusalem highway... Read More

JOHN LENNON - The Man and His Times

John Lennon wasn't always my favorite Beatle; at first it... Read More

Canadian Stars: The Marble Index and the Waking Eyes

Canadian Indie bands are dominating the music scene and it... Read More

Pakistani Pop Music

Pakistan is blessed with talent and when we talk about... Read More

Does Your CD Cover $ell (Or Suck)?

Oh, I know the last part of the title (Suck)... Read More

New Age Music - What Is It Good For?

Let's face it. The world will not end if there... Read More

Throat Singing In Inuit Culture

Originally, Inuit throat singing was a form of entertainment among... Read More

Anglican Arrogance: Small-Minded Choirmembers

What is "Episcopal" music?We often hear people express concern about... Read More

3 Secrets To Understanding What Makes Music Tick

It's no secret that virtually everyone loves music in some... Read More

How to Construct Chords and Improvise

How To Construct Basic Chords on the PianoThe easiest way... Read More

Inspiration Wanted - Apply Within!

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for music students is... Read More

Review: Coheed and Cambria - Second Stage Turbine Blade

Ever wonder what would happen if you mixed the progressive... Read More