I’ve had a lot of people ask me about teaching basic improvising, especially for their teenage and adult beginner students, so I thought I’d show you an excerpt from a lesson where I introduce left hand patterns that can form the basis for exciting student compositions.
There’s a great blog called Pianofeeling that has a whole series of articles introducing composition for beginners. For example, check out his article about LH accompaniment patterns for more ideas on the topic of this video. It’s well worth spending some time on his blog – it’s a real treasure-trove of ideas for teaching composition.
Here are some quick links to articles from his “Guide to Composition”:
Chord Progressions
Patterns
I really enjoy the PianoFeeling articles as they teach in the same way as me: give students some cool ideas (chord progressions, patterns, riffs, blues scales, etc.) and then let them experiment and find their own “sound”.
For more background about my teaching ideas on this subject, have a read of any of the following articles:
PS. I accept that my student’s posture isn’t ideal – getting teenage boys to sit up straight without reminding is getting increasingly difficult in my opinion! I also note that the pedal sounds very heavy in this recording – this is an issue with the microphone and room rather than the student, but you get the idea. Have fun!
TTTV001: Student composition tactics with Daniel McFarlane - topmusic.co says:
[…] Teaching Video: LH Improv Patterns for Student Composition […]
88pianokeys says:
Nice post Tim, I thought I left a comment earlier but it seems to have not posted, so please forgive if this is a repeat!