15 Tips on Learning How to Improvise
(for the Worship Keyboardist)
by Dr. Barry Liesch
1. Close the book! Start depending on your ear,
not the notes on the page. When you are looking at the book, you're
reading music, not thinking how it functions.
2. Choose an easy key. Play your songs first
in the keys of C, F, G, and later in D or Bb at the beginning stages-keys
with no more than two sharps or flats.
3. Reduce the harmony to three or four chords
at the beginning stages. Many hymns and choruses can be played with
three or four chords. Limit yourself to chords based on scale degrees
I, ii, IV and V. Scale degrees chords on I, ii, IV, and V in the key
of C are as follows: C (I), d minor (ii), F (IV), and G (V). For example,
Amazing Grace can be played using only three chords in the key of
C: C (I), F (IV), and G (V). Get these chords established in your
ears so well that you can recognize them when they occur in any song.
4. Transpose to other keys. When you transpose
a song to another key, it keeps your ears open and your mind thinking.
It's a great way to learn how chords function. For example, play Amazing
Grace in G major and then F major.
5. Use substitution chords for variety. A chord
a third below can often be substituted for any chord. In the key of
C major, for example, a C chord can be substituted with an A minor,
an F chord with a D minor, a G chord with an E minor.
6. Add a 7th or a ninth for more color. For
example, add a "B" (major seventh) to a C major chord, or a "Bb" (minor
seventh) to a C minor chord, for more color.
7. Try different voicings. For example, a C
major seventh chord (C, E, G, B) can be played with the seventh (B)
as the lowest note in the right hand (B, C, E, G) and a low C in the
bass.
8. Use added seconds for more color. Instead
of playing a C major chord (C, E, G), employ an added second chord
(C, D, G). An entire book is devoted to added second chords at worshipinfo.com.
9. Place the third or fifth of the chord in
the bass. When you play a C chord in the right hand, try placing an
E (third) or a G (fifth) in the bass. This is a great way to create
effective bass lines.
10. Practice specific chord progressions. Practice
the following chord progressions (here in C major) in all the keys:
(1) I, ii, V, I -> C, F, D minor, G, C.
(2) I, V, IV, I -> C, G, F, C.
(3) I, vi, IV, ii, V, I -> C, A minor, F major, D minor, G, C.
11. Pay attention to what falls well for your
hand. When improvising during a song service there is so much to occupy
your mind, therefore efficiency is important. Take note of what falls
easily for your hand and sounds good. Your goal: the maximum amount
of effect with the least amount of effort.
12. Let go of the melody. When you let go of
the melody it makes improvising easier. You can then concentrate on
chord progressions, rhythmic patterns, and invent melodies for the
soprano and bass parts. Besides, once the congregation gets the groove
of the melody, they seldom need you to continue to play it. In general,
the faster the tempo and the quicker the melody, the more melody notes
you should drop from the RH.
13. Better progress is made if you work out
10 variations of one piece than one of two variations of ten pieces.
Why? Ten variations force you to think, stretch, and develop new material.
14. Copy your favorite CD's note for note. It
is not enough to listen to your favorite CDs; you need to track down
exactly what is happening. Play each phrase as often as necessary
in order to determine each note. It's hard work but great for your
ear! It's also the way to freedom-you'll then be able to find how
what is happening in ANY CD. Gradually you'll develop your own style.
This is how many improvisers have learned their trade and have achieved
greatness.
15. Ask the good improvisers in your area for
help. When you set up an appointment, take along a cassette player
and record their musical examples and ideas. Resources. Check out
the keyboard books at worshipinfo.com.-they're unique and effective.
Band-in-a-Box software is also a good resource.
