"Simple Piano Improvisation
Technique Works Wonders!"

The piano improvisation approach I'm going to introduce you to here is a very simple yet effective one. We'll be using the major scale in it most basic form...

This is a two measure improvisation lick that involves simply playing the major scale from the tonic (first note in the scale) to the tonic an octave higher (in other words, completing the scale from beginning to end)... then playing the seventh of the scale, followed by the fifth. The lick is repeated for the second part of the chord progression.

I have chosen to use the first three chords in the key of C Major. The chord progression is:

Dmin7-Cmaj7-Dmin7-Emin7

otherwise known as:

ii7-Imaj7-ii7-iii7 (lower case "i" refers to minor)

You certainly are not limited to this progression! This lick can be played over just one chord, two chords, or three or more... the possibilities are endless, and if I have inspired your curiosity to take this further, then I thank you for helping me to serve my purpose.

Fmaj7 - Emin7 - Dmin7 - Cmaj7

Cmaj7 - Dmin7 - Fmaj7 - Emin7

I am including the staff notation for the example in the video as well for your reference. Naturally, I encourage learning to read music! However, it's also true that you can have fun with just about any of the improvisational ideas presented on this site by using the videos and illustrations along with reading the text.

Here is the lick played for the first half of the chord progression...

Please... please experiment with this idea and other new ones that you are introduced to. You will have more and more fun, and get better and better by using the examples as a starting point - it's up to you to make them work for you. I have a particular passion for helping people in this area of piano improvisation and enjoy sharing my insights with people just like you.

If you would like to contact me about my personal online coaching service, just send me an email at info@ pianoamore.com - in the subject area, please type "online piano coaching" ... using email and customized graphics that I create just for you, I can help you make lots of progress as I have helped so many others. I can provide details regarding this program once I hear from you.

I'll be totally honest with you... I consider it a privilege as well as a pleasure that you are here reading through this information and putting it to use. I get great joy when someone sends me an email letting me know that he or she applied something on this site and learned from it... and had fun with it!

I encourage you to sign up for all the free lessons by filling in the form below if you haven't already. It takes you to a library of lessons that is constantly growing. In addition, subscribe to the blog at the left of this page. By doing so, you'll know each and every time a new lesson is posted!

Now, I'd like to offer you a special option. If you like my approach and would like to consider working one-on-one with me, I would be delighted to know more about you. My Coach Me! program just might be what you are looking for, whether it's piano improvisation you want to focus on or another topic. There is a link on that page that will lead you to an area where you can describe your situation and ask questions about the program.

I look forward to continuing this wonderful, treasure-filled journey of piano improvisation with you!