When I attended the 2013 Van Cliburn Judge’s Symposium this year in Ft. Worth, Texas, the judges of the Van Cliburn Piano Competition were talking about the importance of improvisation and how the great classical composers all knew how to improvise, which gave them ideas to create their musical compositions. They were saying how improvisation has been lost in piano education, which has hindered the development of the musician. “The goal,” they said, “is not to create pianists, but musicians.” The judges came from all over the world.
Improvisation means “music that is created spontaneously.” Exploring and creating music spontaneously should begin as soon as the student touches the instrument. The more the student has the freedom to try different combinations of the piano keys, the more they feel comfortable with and connected to the instrument.
Doing is the best teacher, and students will soon learn what sounds good and what doesn’t, depositing what works in their personal “Improv Toolbox”. In her article, Cherie Yurco offers “12 Tips to Begin Improvising” to give you ideas to begin your own adventure in improvisation!