Improvisation

In this course, students will be introduced to the art of improvisation, starting with foundational concepts such as rhythm, hand positioning, and practice techniques. They will learn to develop their improvisational skills through exploring various scales, including the pentatonic and blues scales, and incorporating rhythmic ideas into their playing.

1.5 Hours

28 Lessons

Taught by

Ken Gustafson

Per Danielsson

Course Content

All Topics

Improvisation Basics

Ideas, Patterns & Blues

Advanced Improvisation Techniques

Topic1

Ken Gustafson

Piano Lessons / Skill Based Lessons / Improvisation

Introduction and Basics

00:00:0000:09:36

Introduction to Improvisation

Starting Out

Conversation and Speech

What to Play and What Not to Play

Difficulty

Completed

Topic2

Ken Gustafson

Piano Lessons / Skill Based Lessons / Improvisation

Rhythm, Subdivision, and Practice Ideas

00:00:0000:09:19

Rhythm and Subdivision

Practice Technique

Practicing Beats with Drum Track

Difficulty

Completed

Topic3

Ken Gustafson

Piano Lessons / Skill Based Lessons / Improvisation

Pentatonic Scales and Ideas

00:00:0000:12:26

Rhythm Ideas using Pentatonic Scale

Hand Position on Pentatonic Scale

Improvisation Solo

Difficulty

Completed

Topic4

Ken Gustafson

Piano Lessons / Skill Based Lessons / Improvisation

Licks, Riffs, and Motifs

00:00:0000:11:23

Licks, Riffs, and Motif Ideas

Licks as Connecting Patterns

Lick Ideas over a Backing Track

Difficulty

Completed

Topic5

Ken Gustafson

Piano Lessons / Skill Based Lessons / Improvisation

12 Bar Blues Using Blues Scale

00:00:0000:14:54

Intro to Blues Scale

C Minor Blues Scale

Blues Rhythm and Application

Recommended Musicians to Listen To

Playing over a Blues Track

Difficulty

Completed

Topic6

Ken Gustafson

Piano Lessons / Skill Based Lessons / Improvisation

Adding Chord Tones and Passing Notes

00:00:0000:16:10

Adding Chord Tones

More Chord Tones

Passing Notes

Creating Patterns

Difficulty

Completed

Topic7

Ken Gustafson

Piano Lessons / Skill Based Lessons / Improvisation

Tricks and Techniques I

00:00:0000:05:58

Sliding Keys

Adding Intervals and Full Chords

Glissando

Difficulty

Completed

Topic8

Per Danielsson

Piano Lessons / Skill Based Lessons / Improvisation

Tricks and Techniques II

00:00:0000:08:50

Grace Notes

Trills

Combining All Ideas Over a Track

Difficulty

Completed

What you’ll learn

To learn essential techniques such as licks, riffs, and motifs, as well as advanced concepts like adding chord tones, passing notes, and creating patterns.

To apply these techniques by playing over backing tracks and refining their improvisational abilities.

By the end:

Confidently play and switch between chords and songs!

Improvisation

All Topics

Improvisation Basics

Ideas, Patterns & Blues

Advanced Improvisation Techniques

Introduction to Improvisation

Starting Out

Conversation and Speech

What to Play and What Not to Play

Rhythm and Subdivision

Practice Technique

Practicing Beats with Drum Track

Rhythm Ideas using Pentatonic Scale

Hand Position on Pentatonic Scale

Improvisation Solo

Licks, Riffs, and Motif Ideas

Licks as Connecting Patterns

Lick Ideas over a Backing Track

Intro to Blues Scale

C Minor Blues Scale

Blues Rhythm and Application

Recommended Musicians to Listen To

Playing over a Blues Track

Adding Chord Tones

More Chord Tones

Passing Notes

Creating Patterns

Sliding Keys

Adding Intervals and Full Chords

Glissando

Grace Notes

Trills

Combining All Ideas Over a Track

Essential

Company

Explore

Essential

Company

Explore