Recently I was talking to a good friend about teaching beginning improvisation. Through the conversation, I realized that it might be fun for beginning improvisers to ONLY start creating phrases with the black keys. I know I have friends that are already teaching beginning piano this way, but I think it could be a universal approach to teaching (and hearing) beginning improvisation.
First, here is an example of “Black Keys Tune 1” that I wrote and recorded. I programmed the rhythm parts with Logic Pro and here is the track with NO solo:
Here is a sketch with an improvisation with a B3 organ patch using only the E flat pentatonic scale:
Here is an example of me improvising on alto saxophone with guitar pedal effects using an approach that includes much more chromaticism:
As you can probably tell, I have been experimenting with superimposing harmony so there is more than a five note minor pentatonic in that recording. FYI—I am offering the download link for these rhythm tracks. Have fun!
First, what are the black keys?
The black keys on the piano create two different pentatonic scales. Pentatonic scales are scales that consist of five notes and these scales can be heard in a variety of different genres and world cultures. One of the pentatonic scales created with the black keys is an E flat minor pentatonic scale and the other is a G flat major pentatonic scale.
For my project, I thought it would be interesting to create rhythm tracks MOSTLY using the notes from the E flat minor pentatonic or G flat major pentatonic—with the goal of creating a play along track for an improviser to be successful using only the “black keys.”
Here is the basic rhythm track notated:
That rhythm track is pretty much in E flat minor. There are not many G flats, which would determine the chord quality, but given the context and how it sounds as a whole, it sounds like E flat minor.
Why I recommend the “black keys” approach to learning beginning improv:
1. It is a great plan for beginning improvisers to start simple, which means less notes.
2. The use of less notes means that we will contemplate rhythm more. Rhythm is SO important and when we are thinking too much about notes, we are often forgetting about rhythm.
3. This is an alternative to the blues scale or improvising in the keys of F or B flat. So many beginners start in the traditional band keys and it is not the only way to start improvising.