http://keyboardimprov.

com

Summer 2013

Hello fellow improvisers! When I first started KeyboardImprov.com, a friend predicted that it would take me to places I couldnt imagine at the time. Well, he was right. Whats surprised me is how quickly its gone global. Ive had the delight and privilege of hearing from amazing people from more countries than I dreamed possible, including Lithuania, Brazil, Canada, and India. I love hearing your stories and feel truly blessed to be able to share in your musical success and development. I cant wait for the next part of the journey! Happy improvising! Ron Drotos

Summer 2013
"Music can name the unnamable and communicate the unknowable." Leonard Bernstein

Upcoming activities:
Ill be returning to teach and perform at the Fairbanks (Alaska) Summer Arts Festival from July 1428. Ill be teaching piano improv along with vocal performance classes .This will be my 15th summer at this wonderful festival, along with the 3 winter sessions Ive survived! For more info: http://www.fsaf.org/

Summer thoughts:

Whats new:
Weekly Personal Video Lessons! This is probably our most exciting new feature. You can now send me a video or audio as often as every week and Ill send you a personal video lesson in response. Weekly private lessons! New video series: Were proud to now feature Classical Piano Improv, Classic Rock/Pop/Country songs, and The Art of Keith Jarrett. If youre not yet familiar with Jarretts work, check him out; youre in for a treat!

We all go through periods when we cant practice as much as wed like, or not at all. We set musical goals, but then life gets in the way. When this happens, dont give up. Simply come back to the piano when you can and try to play for even a few minutes per day, especially on those crazy days when this doesnt seem possible. Musical progress happens over time, and you owe it to yourself not to let a busy schedule discourage you from enjoying the experience of making music. Sometimes when we set aside our short-term goals and enjoy our practicing for its own sake, we find that we improve the most. Ive seen many adults in particular benefit from this shift in perspective. Most of all have fun!

http://keyboardimprov.com Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. Charlie Parker

Summer 2013

In each issue, we feature a KeyboardImprov.com subscriber who is having a great time improvising on the piano, keyboard or organ. This seasons featured musician is (drumroll and fanfare).. Mike B.!!!

My story really starts as a classical piano student who, like millions of other kids, found that 12-year investment to be a prelude to a 25-year hiatus. That said, when I came to Alaska and volunteered to be the piano player for my church choir, I was gently asked to sing, but not to play. Rusty and clumsy, I was frustrated by the disconnect between my brain and fingers after all those years. In the 3 years that followed, I learned how to sing and eventually became choir director. However, it was at the 2012 Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival where I found my voice while working in a vocal performance class with Ron Drotos. Interestingly enough, while listening to him teach and play keyboard, I felt a compelling desire to play again myself. I subscribed to keyboardimprov.com and my adventure into keyboard improvisation was on! Over the last 6 months I have gained the confidence to sometimes put the written music aside and just let things flow. Pretty soon, the congregation started noticing and complimenting me on the change. Even more amazing, my TEENAGERS started noticing. You know you are making true progress when your 17-year-old son pokes his head up from his electronic device and says, That was sick! (This is a compliment.) Who knew he was even listening? In 6 short months, concentrating on my improvisation with Rons encouragement and his strategies, I have learned how to really play the piano and am anticipating what the next 6 months will bring! Mike B. Fairbanks, Alaska

http://keyboardimprov.com

Summer 2013

10 Ways To Improve Your Piano Improv Skills

Improvising on the piano can be an immensely rewarding activity. While its true that we need to let go and be in the moment, there are specific ways in which we can prepare ourselves to be in top form, just as athletes do. These piano improv tips can go a long way towards helping you improvise at the top of your game. Enjoy! 1. Sing along with your improvised lines. Youll express your individuality more if you try this, at least while practicing. 2. Learn transcriptions of your favorite solos. Better yet, transcribe them yourself. You may want to sing them first, until theyre memorized. Then gradually write them down. This will help you internalize them better, so theyll influence your playing on a deeper level. 3. Improvise solos with your left hand alone. In addition to developing your left hands technique, this will focus your ear on really hearing the notes, since you wont be able to rely on the patterns that your right hand can play automatically. 4. Pick an energetic groove (rock, jazz, calypso, lively classical) and improvise a REALLY SIMPLE solo. Have fun with the rhythms. Youll be in more control of everything, including the shape of the lines. 5. Play very slowly and try to really hear every note with your inner ear before you play it. This is especially important when working with challenging chord progressions. 6. Work on some of your favorite music. Sometimes were so busy practicing what we think we should do, that we lose sight of the music we enjoy the most. Youll tend to stick with it longer, too! 7. Choose a short melodic phrase, chord voicing, or progression, and try playing it in all 12 keys. Youll experience the musical content differently as you explore the different shapes on the piano. 8. Play with other musicians. Youll mutually inspire and learn from each other. 9. Practice a wide variety of music. If you like rock, for instance, play some jazz, folk, or classical-style improvisations. The change of pace will be fun and youll learn some new things to apply to your usual style. 10. Go slowly and enjoy every moment (even the challenges!). LOVE what you are doing.

Best musical wishes for the summer!

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