Musical Improvisation Basics - Four Strategies For Playing Wrong Notes

While it probably doesn't seem like this would help - let's face it - if you are unwilling to play a lot of wrong notes, you're never going to learn how to do anything hard. And improvising is hard! It isn't something that you can do safely, with the assurance that you will look good while trying to get good at it. You won't look good. You won't sound good -- and the sooner you realize this, the sooner you will be able to do something of real value.

Strangely, we are from a culture that reinforces the idea that we should always look good. I mean there are actually people who think you should look good when you're sick. When you get up in the middle of the night. Or when you haven't slept for 36 hours.

Get the picture?

So, now that that's said - what is the best strategy for playing wrong notes and actually making progress at the same time?

De-emphasizing Note Values

I have found that the best way to start is by de-emphasizing note values - focussing instead upon rhythm, texture, density and shape. Music is way more than just the notes you play, and note selection tends to be the very thing that stops people in their tracks. Thus, my "Wrong Note Strategy."

The following are possible points of departure for playing wrong notes - properly:

Melodic Shape - Conceptualize a melody - don't get too specific with notes, but think only in terms of the overall shape of the line. Does it go up? Does it climb? Does it jump? If you have a hard time, try creating a melody on your instrument that is shaped like something else. I think it was John Cage (a rather famous composer) that used the New York skyline as the basis for a piece of music. My vote is, if John Cage can do it, we can too.

Density - Think about density. Are there a lot of notes all close together? Or are they spaced wide apart? Density shape is determined by where there is little space between notes, and where there is a lot of space. It is applicable melodically, harmonically and rythmically. I think there are even methods of encoding data that use this approach (can't remember the name of it). I figure, if it's OK for Intel to use this concept for data, I think it's OK for us to use it too.

Rhythm - What about a rhythmic approach? What if note values were totally unimportant, and we thought only percussively about the music? Like using blocks of notes - dissonances as though playing drums with the keyboard (or whatever)? It seems to have worked for legions of 20th Century composers, so why not for us?

Texture - How about making sounds - funny sounds - on our instrument? I remember working with a violinist from the LA Philharmonic, who told me she couldn't improvise. I asked if she could make noises. She said, "Oh sure! I like making really funny noises like this; and this; and this." We proceeded to "play funny sounds" for the next hour and a half, experimenting with all sorts of melody, harmony, rhythm and texture - coming up with some really beautiful stuff, after which she asked, "was that improvising?" I said, it sure was, and she was totally changed by the experience.

I love that story, because it really shows that all we really need is permission to play "wrong" notes. Once we are willing to do that, then we can experiment - often on a very high level - with the vital textural, rhythmic, shape and density aspects of music.

It still communicates, it's genuinely creative, and it really is music.

So play some wrong notes today!

©2000-2005 Ben Dowling, the author of "The Metaphysics of Improvisation" - is a pianist, composer and an authority on music improvisation and publishes Music- Improv.com, a web site that provides useful paradigms and practices for musicians interested in expanding their ability to improvise. Learn more about "The Metaphysics of Improvisation" and "The Music Continuum" by visiting http://www.music-improv.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Live Music!

"Live music." That common saying may contain some truth, but... Read More

Five Secrets to Playing in the New Age Style

1. Learn how to ImproviseLearning how to improvise is the... Read More

10 Ways for Unknown Musicians to Get the Word Out

When Clear Channel controls the radio and the monopoly newspaper... Read More

Jazzing Up Your Leadership Style

I met New York jazzman Tim Armacost in college almost... Read More

Rabbitt Productions - Up & Coming Atlanta Producer

When you think of music in Atlanta you generally think... Read More

Guitar Humidification

Problems with humidity can lead to heartbreak for the classical... Read More

New Age Music - What Is It Good For?

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

How I Compose a Piece of Music

A number of people have asked about my own methodology... Read More

Music and Healing: The Power of Meaningful Words and Music

We All Have a Favorite Piece of Music that Moves... Read More

How Many Songs Are In Your Pocket?

The portable MP3 player continues to be the hot item... Read More

Six Reasons to Play New Age Piano

Here are six very good reasons to learn how to... Read More

Hip Hop History

Rap music originated as a cross-cultural product. Most of its... Read More

Free, Legal Music Online

Almost everyone has heard about the massive crack down on... Read More

The Future for Independent Record Labels

Small independent record labels are facing a different fight today... Read More

Visualization Techniques for the Pianist

Controlling the images of the mind through image projection has... Read More

Silent Discos!

The press have reported this week that silent disco's are... Read More

Improvisation and Musical Form

Do you ramble on endlessly with your improvisations? If so,... Read More

Greg Koch Fender Guitar History

The Greg Koch Fender guitar began to take shape all... Read More

RIAA Files Second Wave of Lawsuits

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has launched a... Read More

Do You Know What a Didgeridoo Is?

Do you know what a didgeridoo is? There are so... Read More

Buying a Violin

"How do I buy a violin, (or fiddle)?"That question has... Read More

The Art Of Practicing - How To See Real Results

I have always believed that success, in practically any subject... Read More

Music & Citizenship: Can Playing a Musical Instrument Help Your Child Become a Better Citizen?

Disregard the popular image of rappers with their ghetto blasters,... Read More

The Revolution of Electric Guitars

Sometime during the 1930's electric guitars were introduced onto 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

An Interview with Jon Bon Jovi ? 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Cant Be Wrong

The idea originated with singer Jon Bon Jovi. Jon kept... Read More

Art of the Recording Engineer: From Michael Jackson to Mutant Radio, Matt Forger Speaks Out

Interviewed by Scott G (The G-Man)G-Man: When people think of... Read More

Radio - What?s Happened To It?

Remember when radio stations played great music?OK, before you accuse... Read More

How to Improvise Using a Few Chords

When a painter is getting ready to paint, a color... Read More

Polychords and the Jazz Improviser: How to Practice & Apply Polychords to Improv

In the world of music, many Jazz improvisers and Classical... Read More

Green Day: Punk Rock Masters Taming Mainstream Radio Their Way

Before they got together as Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong,... Read More

Vintage Guitar Collectors Can Still Find Deals

If you're a recent vintage guitar collector, the stories you've... Read More

Copyright Basics for Songwriters

Should you copyright your song? If you're a songwriter, sooner... Read More