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 lower case notes make the minor keys while the capital case notes make the major keys. When building from a triad composing C, F and G, one will get a major chord. Normally, a C triad will comprise of C, E and G notes. While the F triad consists of the F, A and C notes, the G triad consists of the G, B and D. In order to build all these chords, natural notes are used. D, E and A are minor triads. Having knowledge of this particular subject is important because it helps in deciding on whether to change keys while soling through the cord changes.
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.
When dealing with a chord that is not naturally for the C key, it works differently. Some of those chords include the D major and F. You will be forced to change the keys while soloing. This applies to the time when you were playing the foreign chords.
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 lower case notes make the minor keys while the capital case notes make the major keys. When building from a triad composing C, F and G, one will get a major chord. Normally, a C triad will comprise of C, E and G notes. While the F triad consists of the F, A and C notes, the G triad consists of the G, B and D. In order to build all these chords, natural notes are used. D, E and A are minor triads. Having knowledge of this particular subject is important because it helps in deciding on whether to change keys while soling through the cord changes.
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.
When dealing with a chord that is not naturally for the C key, it works differently. Some of those chords include the D major and F. You will be forced to change the keys while soloing. This applies to the time when you were playing the foreign chords.
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:
The author is a well respected 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 articles on his Twitter page.
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