Beginning lessons with improvisation
Found in: Composition & Improvisation
Cheri S., Utah
I recently heard someone mention a SM requirement that students begin every practice with improv. Is that official? Something that many teachers do? I’d love to hear more about this–where it appears in the training, and even if it doesn’t, how people who use this principle implement it.
Robin Keehn, Washington
It doesn’t appear in the training but it’s a great idea. I had my students do that for a long time. The idea was to just warm up for a few minutes and play the piano–but not songs or playlist. Just like I have them commit to practicing Reading Rhythm or Reading Notes before they do anything else at the piano (and I require that when we’re in the Reading Program), you can make it a requirement so they make progress and get more comfortable.
Leanne I., Australia
That was me 🙂 I don’t think it was ever official, but it was at the top of the Playlist Management program playlist – Compose or Improvise. I think it is a great way to warm up. Traditional students use their scales to warm up. Improvising is much more fun!