To Learn How to Compose Learn How to Improvise

As I sit here writing this listening to Mozart, I can't help but think of musical form. That sometimes but often not discernible quality to music that makes it art. And when I say art, I'm not talking about improvisation or free form. I'm talking about composition.

Most students are baffled as to how a piece of music is constructed. It's as if learning how to compose is something only gifted individuals do. And while the intuitive sense behind creating melody itself can not be taught, the craft can!
Form is to music what flower arranging is to the florist. You see, it's all about creating a structure. In flower arranging, the goal is to create something pleasing to the eye. This is accomplished by...

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Beware of Piano Lesson Comparison Websites

Have you ever done a Google search for the term "piano lessons?" If so, you'll come up with paid results that describe a service that compares piano lessons sites on the internet. One thing that these sites don't tell you... they're biased and skewed to point you towards the advertisers own website.

Don't fall for it. One site I see popping up all the time is Rocket Piano. Think of it this way. If their site is so great, how come it's not in the organic listings?

George Winston and David Lanz - Learning How to Play Like Them

Did you know that there are two styles of New Age piano playing? One style is more percussive and staccato ala George Winston. The other, much softer and quieter. You should learn both styles! Why? Because there are times when you want to really "bang on the keys" so to speak and other times when a gentler mood takes over. Let's explore both styles and see how they're created.

First the George Winston style. When Winston came on the scene in the early 1980's, he introduced the world to a new piano style. His debut album December (still widely ordered today) put solo piano back on the map. His style, though varying throughout his career, is a percussive one, especially for new age piano. Using left hand ostinato patterns, Winston then improvises/composes melody on top.

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How to Create Your Own Beautiful Piano Compositions

So, you want to create your own music. Something you can put your name on and show off to friends and family. Why not? It's an amazing thing when you think about it. Where there was once nothing, now exists a piece of music authored by you. Let's examine how we might go about creating a complete piece of music.

Your initial idea is an important step. Why? Because the initial idea is the foundation for the entire piece! For example, let's say you get a certain melody in mind. You go to the piano and play it. But then you're stopped cold and don't know how or where to proceed next. What to do? You need to... Click here to read the rest of this article!

The Making of a Piano Improvisation - Creating "Winter Scene"

Many people assume that improvisation is magic and that it takes a magician to be able to just sit down at a piano and spontaneously create music. They couldn't be more wrong! There's a method to the magic.

Just like visual artists, we musicians just don't slap paint on a canvas and call it a painting. We know what we're doing (hopefully) and create using some kind of technique or method.

The lesson piece "Winter Scene" is an improvisation that uses 2 chords in the left hand while the right hand improvises. The background of this aural painting - the chords, we're created first using... click here to read more!

More Right-Hand Techniques for Piano Players

Most students new to piano playing really want to know what to do with the left hand. They think the left hand holds the secret to great improvisations and music. While it's true that the left hand has usually been the captain of the piano ship when it comes to setting arrangements, the right can also join in.

Look, the right hand is where most of us create our melodies. It's considered easier than the workhorse part the left has to do with creating arpeggios, ostinatos and the like. But, we can also use the right hand to create arpeggios and ostinato patterns.

For example, in the Lesson "April Rain..." Click here to read the rest of this article!

How to Create a Theme and Variations for Piano!

There are many ways to compose a piece of music. ABA forms, sonata allegro form, and so on. But the humble theme and variations has been around for centuries. While not used nearly as much as it was during the classical period, it still can be used to create artistic and attractive contemporary piano pieces. Let's get started!

First, we need a theme! Eight bars are the perfect size to contain your theme. I work within this framework all the time and it has proven to be a workhorse when it comes to capturing musical ideas. Now, we can either begin with chords or melody. For theme and variations, I like to start with the melody (as do most composers.) This is because it's a lot easier to create variations for a simple melody than it is to create different textures for chord changes.

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How to Create Your Own Piano Compositions Quickly and Easily!

Here's one of my favorite methods for quickly blocking out entire sections of music and creating a complete piano composition.

First you need to draw out 8-bars on a piece of paper. I use 8-bars first because it's a relatively small space to "fill up" quickly.

You don't have to use notation paper. Any paper will do. In fact, I use a spiral bound notebook with blank pages. I just write out 8-bars and voila, I've jotted down what will become a section of music. Now, here's the interesting part...

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