My latest video is a continuation of the piano improvisation noodling series (also see: Explore Your Creativity with Piano Noodling and More on Piano Noodling!). This time I encourage learners to experiment more freely with the white notes. Simply by playing 3-note chords (called triads), the left hand can hold up a harmony while the right hand noodles a melody on the white keys.
Here are the steps:
- Practice playing three-note triads on the left hand with the white keys on any starting note from C to A. For example, if you start on C, the three notes will be C, E, and G. If you start on D, the notes will be D, F, and A.
- Practice noodling with the right hand on any white key. There is no set hand position here, so be experimental!
- Put both hands together.
This exercise is a great way to experiment musically. As usual with noodling, it is not about creating a perfect result. Piano improvisation starts with exploring! You may find certain sounds you really like. You may find others that you do not. That is fine. Testing the musical waters is part of the learning process. You might think of it like getting field data, as you see what happens when you try out a spontaneous right hand melody over a left hand chord.
Note: In the video, I also mention how melody notes often sound good when they coincide with notes being played in the current chord. In fact, aiming to emphasize chord tones in your piano improvisation is not a bad strategy. Try it out and see for yourself!