Improvisation is one of the most important things that allow a piano player to diversify their skill. The process of learning needs one to have a lot of patience and determination. Some of the major advantages of doing this involve getting your own composition as well as playing with other musicians. One of the primary things that help with this is learning how to get a key to solo when it comes to jamming. Many books will not give you a direct insight on the matter and it is all a matter of experience. This article helps with that.
Learning how to improvise on the piano takes work and patience. Understanding that each key has natural notes that fall within its scale helps tremendously when attempting to figure out what notes to use when creating melodies. Let's use a C major scale for example. The notes found in C major are: C, D, E, F, G, A and B which are commonly referred to as the I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii. For notes I - vi, it is possible to build a major or minor triad using one of these notes as the root i.e., you can build a triad from the note C, D, E, F, G or A.
The roman numerals represent the chords. Some of them are capitalized while others are not. The capitalized numbers are a representation of major chords while the others represent minor chords. One can get major chords from the triad of C, G and F notes. C will consist of C, G and E notes whereas G will comprise G, D and B. F on the other hand, will consist of A, C and F. D, E and A will form the minor chords. It is crucial that one master this because it answers the question of wondering if it is necessary to change keys when moving from one chord to the other.
Most of the time, the first cord to be used in a chord pattern is known as the dominant key. It is possible to use this key as a solo. The secret behind this understanding that each and every chord has its own natural occurring chords that can be used without having to change to other different keys. Taking an example of the changing chord pattern between C, G, A and F, one notices the four different chords present however a solo can be used with the C scale. The secret lies behind using any of the minor chords that range from C, D, E, f, G and A. This way, you can continue to solo in C.
F is not found naturally among the chords of C. When you decide to play a chord that is not naturally included in the C key, the key will have to be changed during the duration when the foreign chord will be used. Another example that is used is the D major key.
With practice you will be able to develop a better ear for this and you will hear the difference and recognize that something doesn't sound right when you are soloing out of key, but for now, use this as a guide. Keep practicing the piano!
Learning how to improvise on the piano takes work and patience. Understanding that each key has natural notes that fall within its scale helps tremendously when attempting to figure out what notes to use when creating melodies. Let's use a C major scale for example. The notes found in C major are: C, D, E, F, G, A and B which are commonly referred to as the I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii. For notes I - vi, it is possible to build a major or minor triad using one of these notes as the root i.e., you can build a triad from the note C, D, E, F, G or A.
The roman numerals represent the chords. Some of them are capitalized while others are not. The capitalized numbers are a representation of major chords while the others represent minor chords. One can get major chords from the triad of C, G and F notes. C will consist of C, G and E notes whereas G will comprise G, D and B. F on the other hand, will consist of A, C and F. D, E and A will form the minor chords. It is crucial that one master this because it answers the question of wondering if it is necessary to change keys when moving from one chord to the other.
Most of the time, the first cord to be used in a chord pattern is known as the dominant key. It is possible to use this key as a solo. The secret behind this understanding that each and every chord has its own natural occurring chords that can be used without having to change to other different keys. Taking an example of the changing chord pattern between C, G, A and F, one notices the four different chords present however a solo can be used with the C scale. The secret lies behind using any of the minor chords that range from C, D, E, f, G and A. This way, you can continue to solo in C.
F is not found naturally among the chords of C. When you decide to play a chord that is not naturally included in the C key, the key will have to be changed during the duration when the foreign chord will be used. Another example that is used is the D major key.
With practice you will be able to develop a better ear for this and you will hear the difference and recognize that something doesn't sound right when you are soloing out of key, but for now, use this as a guide. Keep practicing the piano!
About the Author:
Jason Johann is a well known piano instructor from Southern California. His music school in Tustin gives piano lessons Irvine and instruction for other instruments as well. You can also find his blogs on his Twitter page.
