"Mysterious sounding" improvisation

[ranjit]

When I listened to Chopin Nocturne Op.9 No.2 a few days ago, I really liked how the Eb major & Ab minor(1st inversion) chords were used in succession. After a while, I found out that this "progression" really suits an Ab harmonic minor scale "centered" around Eb*. So, I decided to try and improvise something based on this concept.

Suggestions are welcome.

*Note: I initially described it as an altered Eb minor scale. Sorry about that.
Still, it seems to be in the key of Eb. Would this be considered a mode?

[ted]

The scales you use, and their embedded phrases, are very appealing, although the effect on me is Eastern rather than Chopinesque, and the mood seems to me more plaintive than mysterious. The only things I can suggest are more clearly defined rhythm and phrasing, and perhaps a contrasting section. A good thing about improvisation is that you can bring out an idea in many different ways over time, sometimes for years.

[ranjit]

The scales you use, and their embedded phrases, are very appealing, although the effect on me is Eastern rather than Chopinesque, and the mood seems to me more plaintive than mysterious.

I did not intend the improvisation to be Chopinesque. I simply liked the effect that was produced by alternating the Eb major and (1st inversion) Ab minor chords, and stumbled upon this scale, which turned out to be harmonic minor. I agree that it sounds Eastern.

"Plaintive" describes the mood of the piece very well indeed!

Now, thinking about it, I would describe the piece as desolate. While listening to the improvisation, I imagine someone in a very difficult situation, who is at the brink of losing all hope.

Back then, I wasn't able to find a proper adjective, so I settled on "mysterious".