Comments on: Basic Piano Music Improvisation Technique for Hymns

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:58:38 +0000

Great job describing the LH pattern in 3/4 or 4/4/.
Another pattern to try when the same chord lasts for 4 beats:
Beat one: Low Bass Note (root of chord)
Beat two: 2nd inversion of root chord
Beat three: 5th of root as low bass note
Beat three: repeat beat 2 chord (same notes)

This is called an alternating bass chord pattern, which works well for mundane bass line!

I will keep checking your sight. Thanks for taking time to share what you’ve learned.

By: Tunococ

Tunococ — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:38:40 +0000

This is a good start. Once you master this, you might wanna try broken chords played in eighth notes or triplets. For more modern tone, you can try to repeat bass notes right before (say 1/2 beat before) the chord changes too. This is the easiest way I can think of right now.

And if you get bored with these patterns, try to look for other patterns in other songs. Listen to the effects of different accompaniments used in other songs and try to adapt them to the songs you’re playing. One example that I like is Chopin’s Barcarolle.

By the way, I don’t actually agree with “anyone can learn how to play precisely what is printed on a music score”. I think learning a song means understanding the storyline encrypted as notes. It’s like reading a novel. You don’t recite it, you understand the story.

By: danf.pa

danf.pa — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:06:59 +0000

Good Tip!

You might try a fake book for that type of stuff (if you haven’t already). My teacher made me get a book titled, appropriately, “How to Play From A Fake Book”. Once you can play from a fake book, or lead sheets, you can do the same stuff with a normal hymn book, etc.

By: mogulemon

mogulemon — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:50:07 +0000

do u have friendster account? i think we both crazy about piano.. please be my friend in friendster. use my mail to add me. thx.