Improvising

[suoyung]

Hi there! I know that my question may sound a bit weird...
So there are many performers that improvise on their concerts, there are competitions that include improvising. I wonder how they do that? In some musical universities they teach imrovising, right? In my they don't l. But I really would like to at least teach myself. I like improvising, but I am not sure if I am doing it right? And I'm not sure if there is a right way to improvise, lol. Again, it does sound weird, but I am really confused by that. I like to improvise, but I surely wouldn't do it on a concert, for example. Actually I'm afraid to show it to anyone. And it is mostly because I am not sure about how it would end up, maybe I won't be able to do it at all. Also I wonder how people do improvising on certain themes. When I try to do it, it becomes so unnatural and trivial (not that in other cases it is brilliant, but at least I like what I do).
So please help me! Any information will be good. Mostly I would like to read books on that theme, if there are any.

[ted]

So there are many performers that improvise on their concerts,

Not where I am

... there are competitions that include improvising.

Perish the thought of that

I'm not sure if there is a right way to improvise...

At seventy, I am pretty sure there is not

Actually I'm afraid to show it to anyone.

You might find people would like it. Try posting a few recordings here, in the improvisation section.

And it is mostly because I am not sure about how it would end up..

That is part of the joy and surprise of improvised music. I have never experienced a desire to "end up" anywhere.

I wonder how people do improvising on certain themes. When I try to do it, it becomes so unnatural and trivial (not that in other cases it is brilliant..

That is one way of improvising, but it isn't the only way.

...at least I like what I do).

That is probably all that matters in the end.

Most videos and writers concern themselves with what notes should be played, which approach is likely to prevent a beginner getting a flow of ideas going at all. Style and notes don't matter to start with, they can come later once spontaneous flow is acquired. The process is not a step-by-step one as in most fields of learning. It is a slowly forming, habitual medium, which builds up over a lifetime. There are many ways to start it and practise it. I can suggest one or two things you can try if you send me a private message. It's too much to write here.

[louispodesta]

Hi there! I know that my question may sound a bit weird...
So there are many performers that improvise on their concerts, there are competitions that include improvising. I wonder how they do that? In some musical universities they teach imrovising, right? In my they don't l. But I really would like to at least teach myself. I like improvising, but I am not sure if I am doing it right? And I'm not sure if there is a right way to improvise, lol. Again, it does sound weird, but I am really confused by that. I like to improvise, but I surely wouldn't do it on a concert, for example. Actually I'm afraid to show it to anyone. And it is mostly because I am not sure about how it would end up, maybe I won't be able to do it at all. Also I wonder how people do improvising on certain themes. When I try to do it, it becomes so unnatural and trivial (not that in other cases it is brilliant, but at least I like what I do).
So please help me! Any information will be good. Mostly I would like to read books on that theme, if there are any.

Thank you so much for your candor/honesty.  I do know from personal experience that your mindset/thesis may be subject to major ridicule.

However, the actual performance practice of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries was not the way the piano (Conservatory Method) is played today.  Accordingly, I proffer my widely viewed Thesis on this subject.

Please pay special attention to the response and reply by "Charles Blanchard."  And, most importantly, my answer which will answer/address many of your questions.

Further, the book by Dr. Neal Peres Da Costa, "Off the 'Record:  Performing Practices in Romantic Piano Playing," is a very detailed analysis of "Original" performance practices of the time period.  With the addition of an aural website, it plays 39 recorded examples of this type of playing.

This includes improvisation and other common performance practices, WHICH IS THE WAY THE COMPOSER/PIANISTS WHO ACTUALLY COMPOSED THIS MUSIC, ORIGINALLY PLAYED AND TAUGHT IT!

Please contact me by PM, if you desire further information/guidance.  All the best.

[cuberdrift]

If you are interested in improvising in a jazz-like style, perhaps you should try out Oscar Peterson's Jazz Exercises. Of what I know a book of it is available online for free download as pdf.

Haven't tried them myself, although I feel it may help.

[suoyung]

Thank you all for your responds!

ted, I understand what you say, but I figured out, that just improvising when the inspiration comes won't make it better, and wondered if there are some methods of getting better at it.

Further, the book by Dr. Neal Peres Da Costa, "Off the 'Record:  Performing Practices in Romantic Piano Playing," is a very detailed analysis of "Original" performance practices of the time period.  With the addition of an aural website, it plays 39 recorded examples of this type of playing.

Oh, that is very interesting! I will check it out. But I am mostly interested in baroque and 20-th century music. And I was looking for a long time a book like that about baroque period.
Thanks for the video, I will watch it now.

cuberdrift, well I am more interested in "academical" improvising, if it is correct to say so... But that book will be useful too, I think, thanks!