Piano Improvisation #1 - C Minor

[@michelchege]

Thank you!

[@musichistorynut]

You're welcome!! Thank you for listening and taking the time to comment!!

[@Seenall]

Very beautiful, and also educational and useful for inspiration

[@daveperson5548]

Genuinely great, love it so much

[@musichistorynut]

Thank you very much!

[@TheCultureVultures.]

That's what I'm talking about! Love the sound, register that song immediately. I was under the impression that improvisation was thought out somewhat in advance but you made a believer out of me. I noticed you played G-major chords and lots of B-natural notes. Would you ever decide to improvise in harmonic minor? Or is it that when improvising you think in terms of natural minor and then just raise the seventh when you're trying to resolve back to the tonic?

[@musichistorynut]

Thanks Patrick!! You will see in subsequent improv videos that I RARELY change up using natural minor. BUT - it does happen. I LOVE resolution. I have a hard time THINKING resolution in C minor without that natural B. There are levels of improvisation. Some of it is ENTIRELY on the spot. (as are ALL of these, as I wanted to do no pre-planning at all). Other times, you have scales, patterns, rhythmic structure, or other elements LOOSELY thought out in a thin skeletal structure, but without the fleshed out details, which ARE on improvised on the spot here. Sometimes I think ahead, but often I just let it flow as it happens. It's fun! It's also how I tend to BEGIN the compositional process, whenever I need ideas. I will play for several minutes until something pops out at me - a melody, rhythm, etc. Then I spend time WORKING on that idea. I exploit the heck out of it until I have determined if I can use it or not. It also helps if I am inspired beforehand..

[@staticklingon2182]

Thank you for sharing your talents with us. Not at all what I was looking for or expected, but I enjoyed it nonetheless lol.

[@musichistorynut]

I am sorry I didn't respond when you made your comment. Thank you so much for listening and taking the time to comment. I am glad you liked it!!

[@taylorsessions4143]

That's some beautiful music. When is the album coming out?

[@musichistorynut]

Thanks Taylor! Keep a lookout. There are 14 more of these videos. :)

[@RJ__________]

I know it’s an old video but I need help. I’m pretty good at piano I just don’t read music . Would I need to be able to read music to improv like this ?

[@musichistorynut]

No. Not at all. Music is like any other language. There are a LOT of really successful musicians who cannot read music. (just like there have been several successful people throughout history who were illiterate). Reading music helps you perform other composer's music the way they intended, and can help you analyze how they did it (music theory), but it is NOT necessary at all. If you have a good ear and a good sense of what music is for YOU, improvisation is merely a way of expressing that music which is in you. It's truly a language that you must learn.