![]() Learn Piano Online Piano Improvisation For Beginners![]() Years ago, I remember having my hands on a magazine - actually, it was "Piano & Keyboard Magazine" (some may be familiar) - whose primary topic was piano improvisation. One of the things that made me remember this particular issue so well was the front cover. It displayed two hands placed over a piano keyboard, as if ready to play... yet, they were in handcuffs! I thought this was such an appropriate analogy to convey the message that so many people unnecessarily experience feeling "bound by chains" when it comes to improvising on piano (or any instrument, for that matter). Notice that I said FEELING... not BEING... Well, every set of handcuffs has a key that goes with it. But the key itself never does the trick. After all, if those handcuffs are to come off, someone must pick up the key, put it into the keyhole, and turn it in order to free those hands. However, if you are really picturing this, it's a pretty challenging task for the person who is actually bound by the handcuffs to do all that. Likewise, when it comes to the kind of freedom beginners are looking for when it comes to improvising, they often need someone else to "turn that key." And sometimes, this can be nothing more than a little encouragement and direction. It doesn't take much, really. You see, if you believe in your ability even just a little, then having that little bit of assistance is all you need... once you see the way, then it's a cakewalk. That was a reason I created The One Improvisation Secret You Must Know... I wanted any individual who subscribed to the thought "I don't have what it takes to improvise" or "I don't know if I can improvise" to have something that would prove that belief to be dead wrong (and it is, by the way)... Learning to improvise is a lot like learning how to speak. From the time we're born, we start with a cry... then a word or two... "mama" or "dada"... then it develops from there. But one thing remains constant throughout the entire process, and it's this: we do not lack confidence at whatever level of speaking we are currently engaged. Imagine a newborn baby looking and listening to all those adults around him or her as they talk, talk talk... and feeling bewildered, thinking "Wow, how will I ever learn to do that?" It's kind of funny when you think about it. Actually, it would never happen. A baby simply accepts his or her current situation and environment and learns as they go along. It's just a simple fact. Well, it's no different with improvising music. It's just that somewhere along the way, on our way to adulthood, we subscribed to the idea that there are things we're simply not cut out to do. Of course, that only comes from someone else saying that - we heard it, believed it, and applied it to ourselves. Was it based on fact? No way. So the message here is clear. If learning to improvise has ever been an aspiration of yours, please know that whatever thoughts you have about your limitations are not based on fact. Whatever is holding you back is nothing but a "smokescreen" that needs to evaporate. And you have what it takes to do this. You just need to start. Let today be the day you start improvising some of your very own ideas on that piano or keyboard of yours. Amaze yourself. It feels good : ) Remember... Always... ALWAYS... PLAY WITH PASSION! Musically, Dave =================================================================== Dave Longo is the creator and owner of PianoAmore.net, a site devoted to showing the adult piano student how to unleash "The Creative Genius Within." Reach your musical potential by taking advantage of the many piano learning tools at the site. =================================================================== Return from Piano Improvisation to Piano Articles Go To Learn Piano Online Home Page |