A scary word for many of us musicians. I know the thought of improvising makes me shake in my boots a little bit. I\u2019m not a big note reader so you\u2019d think that improv would be my thing but, improvising makes me feel a little vulnerable and nervous. Can you relate?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m learning to step outside my comfort zone with this and so can you! Here\u2019s how.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Create a safe little set of rules to play within. These little rules will serve as your security blanket so you don\u2019t have to worry about doing something \u201cwrong.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n …Although with improv, can you really be wrong<\/strong>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this case, the rules are simple. We are going to use the most common chord progression of all time. We will play <\/span>I, iv, V<\/strong> and <\/span>VI<\/strong> chords, in that order. More simply stated you are going to play <\/span>C, A<\/strong> minor, <\/span>G<\/strong>, and <\/span>F,<\/strong> with your left hand using 5ths. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply place the <\/span>5<\/strong> finger (baby) of your left hand on the chord or root note and then play the note that is five notes above that. For <\/span>C<\/strong> you will play <\/span>C<\/strong> and <\/span>G,<\/strong> for <\/span>A<\/strong> minor you play <\/span>A<\/strong> and <\/span>E<\/strong>, for <\/span>G<\/strong> you play <\/span>G<\/strong> and <\/span>D<\/strong> and for <\/span>F<\/strong> you play <\/span>F<\/strong> and <\/span>C<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n All you need to do is play each of these once. That\u2019s it!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, take the 5 finger of your right hand and place it on <\/span>C<\/strong> above middle <\/span>C<\/strong>. You will notice your <\/span>2<\/strong> finger naturally lands on the <\/span>G<\/strong>. All you need to do is play <\/span>C, G, C, G<\/strong> on and on and on. Basically just rock back and forth between those two notes. Each time you play a <\/span>C<\/strong> and then a <\/span>G<\/strong>, play one of the bass <\/span>5ths<\/strong> in your <\/span>LH<\/strong>. <\/span>Sounds great, doesn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Get comfortable here. Settle in. When you get bored, start trying new things. Change your rhythm, play some of the notes that lie naturally under your hand. The sky is the limit. If you play something that sounds \u201cbad\u201d, try something else! This is the beauty of improv.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hope this exercise gets you curious and having fun!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n