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Mary R., Michigan

I am so far from a comp/improv expert it isn’t even funny but I once saw Neil teach a novice just a little part of the blues scale and then try messing around while someone else played Jackson Blues. I tried it this week with a dad and daughter who just learned Jackson and it worked pretty well. To keep it simple I just used C, Bflat, G and E flat, but even the first three could work. Just tell them everything they play will sound great–any rhythm, any pattern, any combination and maybe demo a little.

Clary L., Ohio

I have also felt very inept at the whole comp/improv thing as that is not the way I learned to play the piano, but being around some very improvisational people and also developing my own skills in that area I have come up with some things that have worked well for my students.

The very first project I give them before even learning Dreams Come True is to improvise over Honey Dew. I have them play the Honey Dew track with no vocals and use their RH in the C position and play anything they want. It amazes them and those listening to them. One new student was asked by her sister how she played that magic music.

After they learn Dreams I have them improvise on the black notes only and then create a song on the black notes, this week many of my students had the project of creating a “snowfall” song on the black notes. In a group situation I would have them each create one sentence in C position, similar to Dreams and then put the sentences in an order and come up with a tailpiece, and now they have a group song.

If they have the skill level to play chords in their LH and move them I have them play with their LH a C chord, in middle C position and then move up one white note to a Dm chord. They then play anything they want in their RH, I call this a “jazzy improv”, it sounds like dinner music, ( I also have them use the pedal, just holding it down the whole time.)

I will also do the question and answer song where they ask a question with one sentence and ask a question with another. These are all projects I give very early on to give them the confidence that they can create and make beautiful music on their own, they are usually very willing and able to continue creating later and I am continually amazed at what they come up with. They are way better at it than I am.

Sue K., Australia

Hi Andrea, What perfect timing. I have been attending a seminar with a couple of other Simply Music teachers, and one of the many things which was presented yesterday was getting your students to play a book. Whether they actually open a book and play it – conversations, punctuation marks and all – or make their story up each day. I wonder where I have heard this before? This holds so much potential. I have many times had conversations with my students on the piano and it is a fun activity. Build it into what you want.

Cindy B., Illinois

Another thing that sounds awesome in all 3 positions is the 3rd finger flat sliding to white, meaning, in the C position, c, e flat slide to e nat, and g… and ditto in each of the positions.

Lyndel K., Australia

Neil’s demo reminds me of a little scene in the ‘Ray Charles’ movie. It depicts Ray as a little guy, sneaking into the back of a packing shed, where he would watch this amazing blues piano player. Then the magic happens, as he is invited to improv with him, just playing three notes of the blues scale (C Bb and Eb if I remember correctly.) It’s worth getting the movie out, just to watch this scene!