Description

This book teaches the improvisation of classical piano music through a step-by-step method including the use of chord tone approaches, scales, arpeggios, non-chord tones, motivic development, ornamentation, modulation, stylistic variation, and more. By practicing simple tasks the pianist escapes the mental pressure of performing on the spot and develops the ease and freedom of improvising in classical styles. This book also includes 7 variations on a theme by Beethoven illustrating the improvisational concept and technique. Includes access to online audio.

Contents

1. Part I: Alphabet of Improvisation
2. Chapter 1 Introduction
3. Chapter 2 Arpeggios and Rhythm Formulas
4. Chapter 3 Leading Notes
5. Chapter 4 Chord Tone Approaches
6. Chapter 5 Scales
7. Chapter 6 Combining Scales, Arpeggios, Rhythmic Formulas and Chord Tone Approaches
8. Chapter 7 Creating Original Melodic Patterns
9. Chapter 8 The Relationship of Rhythm and Harmony
10. Chapter 9 A Traditional Approach to Non-Chord Tones
11. Chapter 10 Motivic Development
12. Part II Language of Improvisation
13. Chapter 11 Melody
14. Chapter 12 The Relationship between Improvisation and Original Melody
15. Chapter 13 Ornamentation
16. Chapter 14 Modulation
17. Chapter 15 Changing the Mode
18. Chapter 16 Form
19. Chapter 17 Range
20. Chapter 18 Left Hand Variations
21. Part III Styles
22. Chapter 19 Style: Introduction
23. Chapter 20 March
24. Chapter 21 Dance Styles
25. Chapter 22 Song Styles
26. Chapter 23 Free-Form Styles
27. Chapter 24 Stylistic Modulation
28. Chapter 25 Using Foreign Material
29. Variations on a Theme by Beethoven (from Piano Sonata, Op 57)
30. About the Author