Creating A Piano Improvisation - The Making of December Twilight
“How is it done?” asked one student. “How do you create something like December Twilight?” I’ll tell you but you may be surprised at the answer.
December Twilight is a lesson piece (available at http://www.quiescencemusic.com) I created to teach students hand independence. So, how did I create it? I haven’t the slightest idea.
What I mean is, I went over to the piano like I usually do, sat down, and just started to play around. And out of nowhere,
I found myself reaching for a bass note followed by an A major triad and D major chord.
Now, I’m not saying this to mystify you, but when you operate this way on the piano, the unexpected comes up. I wasn’t “trying” for anything here. I allowed myself to just be at the keyboard and with this attitude, the music that comes is always a surprise and here’s the best part -
Once the initial idea came - a left-hand ostinato pattern using a good portion of the keyboard, the rest was easy enough and that had to do with simply improvising a melody in the right hand.
Many students have problems not only coming up with material (because they’re way too hard on themselves) but also keeping it going. That is, they find themselves playing a few notes and then stop cold because they don’t know how to go forward.
The answer to this problem is similar to the approach just discussed. You see, you really aren’t in “control” of the music so to speak. It has a life of its own and if you find yourself wanting to “push” the music out, you will run into blocks. This is called the principle of respect.
There are many, many times when I go to the keyboard to play and nothing comes out. It’s frustrating! But, I know from past experience that if nothing wants to come at that particular moment, then I better get up and find something else to do.