Welcome, and where we're headed

Welcome to Your Journey of Piano Improvisation

So welcome aboard! You've taken the first step and you're here joining me on a journey of improvisation that will revolutionize your piano playing. Whether you're a beginner or a fully fledged pianist, this course will fast track your progress.

Meet Your Instructor

My name is Andrew Quatermain. I'm a concert pianist and teacher, and I run a national music school called Pro Quarter. We use these techniques a lot, both in our chamber music courses and in our adult piano weekends.

Understanding Different Learners

I know that adult learners come to the piano with a whole range of experiences, often with very busy lifestyles. Often, you simply haven't got time for a piano lesson a week or even one a month.

• You might not want to be held back.
• Perhaps you're not a note reader, and music notation feels completely alien to you.

That's perfectly fine. This film breaks all of that down.

Techniques for Everyone

The techniques we're going to use in this film are of equal value, whether you read music or not, and whether you know about harmony already or not.

Setting Sail on Our Journey

We'll be setting sail on a kind of musical travelator. In our first section, we'll focus on:

• Pulse and Phrase
• Hand Position

This will develop your technique and musicality simultaneously. Just like jumping into a swimming pool for the first time, placing your hands on the keyboard may feel a little strange, whether you're an experienced player or not.

But step by step, this film will guide you on a comforting journey that will fast track you to a level of piano playing you might not think is attainable in such a short space of time.

Exploring Improvisation

From our initial stage, we will then set sail on our improvisation journey in the second section:

• Explore new possibilities: We'll take the note patterns and textures introduced in the first section to create something that is more musically interesting.
• Develop your playing: Explore more colors and technical possibilities, enhancing your piano technique and performance skills.

Improvisation is a wonderful way to develop your performing skills.

Taking It to the Stage

In the third section, we'll take this to the stage, metaphorically speaking. While you can practice in the comfort of your own sitting room, imagine you're on that concert stage:

• Explore vital aspects of performance: There will be a focus on dynamics and articulation.
• Freedom in your playing: You'll be playing piano music that you might not have reached for months or years had you followed a traditional repertoire approach.

Backing Tracks and Creative Work

At the end, there will be a couple of backing tracks available for you to use. These tracks will offer different musical ideas and suggestions that you can respond to spontaneously as you play along. This will provide a fun way to put into practice all of the concepts we'll explore together.

We Want to Hear From You!

We'd love to hear from you! If you'd like to record some of your improvisations and send them via Music Gurus, I would be delighted to listen and offer tips and feedback.

• I can also develop a tailor-made backing track based on what you need at any given moment.

With your progression and fast track learning, these techniques can reach their full effect.

Remember, with this kind of creative work, the sky is literally the limit as to where it could go and how far these ideas could take us!