Two Exercises To Change Your Mindset as an Improvisor

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Pianist, Educator, and Sourdough Loaf Baker Jeremy Siskind shares two trading exercises that will help you engage in more connected, rhythmic, energized, and honest improvisation.

[@handdancin]

trading! what a great idea for warming up! broccoli rabe

[@JeremySiskind]

Oooh, broccoli rabe! How fancy!

[@chrisjazzhands5373]

Your books have been so helpful.

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Chris! I’m so happy to hear that!

[@chrisjazzhands5373]

@@JeremySiskind especially the volumes where you can scan the code and go right to the videos with detail. Great!!

[@anastasiahulai5095]

For me this topic has been so relevant since I’ve been trying to learn to improvise. I usually like more the things I hear inside rather than what I actually play. so I’m happy you made this video. Thank you so much , Jeremy 🥦

[@JeremySiskind]

Great! The more you practice connecting your ear with your playing the closer you’ll get to bringing what’s inside your head to the piano.

[@gregpage6652]

Ok ok. broccoli! Love your stuff too Jeremy. thank you, Greg

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks so much, Greg! I hope the exercise helps!

[@MrPaganiniN]

What a lesson, what a man, what a broccoli!! Thanks

[@JeremySiskind]

Haha, thanks, Tomas! What a comment!

[@brendaboykin3281]

Cool exercise. Cool voice,reminds me of the Cool Cat Dave Lambert. Compliments. I'll try this with Blues to start. Uses both sides of the brain. 😎😎😎😎😎 Thought I heard Sammy Davis Jr tapping there,on strong smooth boards over a broccoli patch.

[@JeremySiskind]

Hmm, I don't know about cool Cat Dave Lambert. I'll look it up!

[@brian106699]

Teach brother Jeremy. I’m trying to click as much as possible.

[@SergioValenzuela]

The hardest thing i find is to play a phrase and be "alive" on every beat keeping the ear open. Usually the neuronal - motoric effort to just play it tends to cloud the rest of brain "cpu" to hear possibilities in the moment . This exercise is fabulous in keeping it energetic and awake in the broader arch. It´s hard to keep all juggling balls in motion , this helps a lot. Great lesson, Thank You Jeremy!.

[@JeremySiskind]

I don’t know anything about neurons, but I think I know what you mean. It’s hard to be truly present rather than just relying on your subconscious. I do think this exercise helps!

[@nickmartorano6766]

GREAT lesson!

[@JeremySiskind]

Awesome, thank you so much, Nick!

[@StaciGriesbach]

Broccoli is my fave!!

[@JeremySiskind]

Yes! Gotta get some roasted broccoli to start your day. 😂

[@Tovify]

Thanks for a great suggestion !

[@JeremySiskind]

You’re very welcome, Thomas! Enjoy!

[@rillloudmother]

Good stuff!

[@JeremySiskind]

Thank you much!

[@colleenvanderhoek3784]

I was in your Open Studio Class last night. 11/10/22. It was great and I really, really like this video, going to go try it now! I have your Bool 2 also. Thanks so much 😊🎶🎹🎶

[@JeremySiskind]

Awesome! Thanks, Colleen! I saw your great energy at the class last night! Enjoy working on these trading exercises!

[@BethanyLowe8773]

Great ideas! They seem hard, but I'll try with the simplified versions, 251, and maybe just singing at first, and just drumming. One thing I've done to get started (after warning up with some exercises like vah-doo-dit) is to think/listen internally for two bars, then play it, then sit and listen again. My process of coming up with material is still very fragile! I'm just about to buy Fundamentals 2, excited - it looks green and crunchy!

[@roemellomackey5579]

This is a refreshing approach. I usually overthink details like fingering. Thank you Jeremy for your insight. Broccoli!

[@phaselockk]

Really enjoying fundamentals book 1. These exercises seem interesting too! Broccoli.

[@JeremySiskind]

I’m so happy you’re enjoying the book!

[@humblemai2211]

Love you much

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Mai!

[@felixtani4030]

This is really great! Did the exact same things in my lessons with Aaron Parks. ( on It could happen😂) He got idea of tapping from Sophia.

[@JeremySiskind]

Yes! This is definitely related (if not outright stolen) to Sophia’s work!

[@felixtani4030]

@@JeremySiskind The top priority for me is to be emotionally connected with the music. Think most technical problems solves that way and any kind of mechanical practice is counterproductive. And to play by ear.

[@scottderrick8166]

Broccoli. Thanks!

[@linn6560]

Wow this exercises are like broccoli for the brain! Thank you, Jeremy!

[@EANNE1000]

Broccoli 🥦 And, thank you!

[@JeremySiskind]

You're ever so welcome, Ms. Goodwin!

[@markyachnin1901]

Broccoli is delicious!

[@JeremySiskind]

🥦 🥦🥦

[@don3141592]

Thanks for the broccoli!

[@JeremySiskind]

You’re welcome, I hope it was delicious!

[@Ludada101]

Also Brocoli

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks much, Luyunda!

[@charleshuguley9323]

Love broccoli.

[@barryo5158]

Thank you, very good. Broccoli, it could happen to you.

[@JeremySiskind]

Broccoli could happen to any one of us if we’re not careful!

[@anastasiahulai5095]

Also , is there a chance of a new 10-15mins improvisation video coming soon? I don’t know if you like Christmas music but how about maybe some Christmas medley improvisation? Or any other tunes would be great too

[@anastasiahulai5095]

And it would be also really fun and I guess pretty KZbin’ish if you make some as you would probably call narcissistic “musical facts about me” video or some q&a video! For example I wonder if you can actually play drums or bass, as you always mention them. Or at what age and how you got into jazz music and did you start as a classical musician or not. Or what was the first piece you ever composed and who you were a fan of while growing. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love to learn more about your music way in general and in details 🎵or some personal facts too! 💛

[@JeremySiskind]

Oooh, a video about me! I have way too many deep dark secrets 😂 Maybe once I reach 10K subscribers. thanks for the suggestions - there will definitely be some Christmas stuff coming in December.

[@BethanyLowe8773]

@@JeremySiskind Would be interested in the magazine-style chat too! Had just been thinking randomly that I would like a video tour of the books we can always (not quite) see in the background with a recommendation of your favourites (music and/or non-music)!

[@dominiccastillo9677]

Thank you, broccoli.

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Dominic! I hope you got something from it!

[@Ludada101]

Lol I got both fundamental books, should we expect a third, where should we go after finishing book 2 (haven’t finished it yet)

[@JeremySiskind]

Wow, you’re flying through those books! I think the chances are good on a third book, but I’m not 100% sure yet. It wouldnt arrive until the end of next year though! So go slow through JPF2 😂

[@igorchmielewski1615]

It may be something weird but I find I can usually improvise well with the stride left hand or with the walking bas but I really can't comfortably play with any syncopated left hand or any other type of comping which isn't quarter notes. Maybe it's because I'm solo pianist and I have never really played with anyone, because here in Europe it's really hard to find someone playing jazz.

[@igorchmielewski1615]

And that's probably the most unexpected thing but for me improvising on boogie woogie is the easiest genre. My first attempts to improvise was above the boogie woogie chop.

[@JeremySiskind]

That is weird to me because those are such complex left hand patterns but it kind of makes sense if you’re thinking about downbeat based LH versus offbeat LH. I bet you improvise best with no left hand at all!

[@TheGamingCarousel]

brookolyyyyy

[@JeremySiskind]

Yes! Shout it from the mountaintops!

[@Sam-bp9yt]

🥦

[@JeremySiskind]

♥️

[@pianostuff191]

Who doesn‘t love broccoli.

[@JeremySiskind]

It’s an underrated vegetable, right?!?

[@sanferrera]

Always broccolli all your videos.

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Santiago! You’re a broccoli to me too. (I don’t know what that means…)

[@sanferrera]

Haha...me neither, but thank you :))

[@bobbygadourymusic5476]

Broccoli

[@JeremySiskind]

Woooo! 🥦

[@kault01]

more broccoli

[@JeremySiskind]

So much broccoli! I like it with a squeeze or lemon!

[@roblaw7537]

Quick tip- don't mention your book at the start of every video.

[@JeremySiskind]

Ooh, great tip. Thanks!

[@gedeongeremew8391]

Broccoli

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks for watching, Gedeon!

[@carlcgarrett3]

Broccoli

[@christopherhuber9037]

Broccoli

[@TonyWinston]

Cruciferous!

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks for watching, Chris!

[@JeremySiskind]

Dang, Tony, you’ve got fancy words, don’t you?!?