Hey Improvisers!
There are two sides to becoming a fluent piano improviser.
One side involves practicing concepts and techniques. Learning the scales, modes, chord voicings, and bass lines that are associated with each genre of music.
The other side of the coin is to play our favorite songs. Songs by George Gershwin, The Beatles, Charlie Parker, Adele, George Winston, Antonio Carlos Jobim, etc.
Both sides are necessary, and the overall idea is to gradually bring them together.
Here’s one of my all-time favorite songs. It’s the classic “It’s Easy To Remember” by the songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. (You may know Rodgers are the composer of the Broadway shows Oklahoma and The Sound Of Music.)
This gem has been recorded by John Coltrane, Frank Sinatra, and Keith Jarrett, among others, and I had a wonderful time making this video for you.
It’s Easy To Remember: Journey Through The Real Book #193
I hope this inspires you to sit down at your piano or keyboard and play a few of your favorite songs today.
Have fun, and “let the music flow!”
Ron
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Ron, great lesson about “embracing” a ballad with beautiful musical resources!
Thanks Patricio. One great thing about playing ballads is that the tempo is slow and gives us time to think about what’s coming next!