Help teaching improvisation on piano

[garddwr]

My dd9 likes to play around improvising things on the piano. She is taking lessons using a standard note-reading method, but I think she would really enjoy learning more about improvising. Are there resources out there that teach chords, chord progressions, etc.? Not from learn-the-theory-for-theory's sake" standpoint but a "here are principles to make cool music that sounds good" standpoint?

[klmama]

I've wondered about this, too. Does anyone have any ideas?

[garddwr]

Anyone?

[momacacia]

I learned from a jazz pianist teacher in my late teens/early 20s. I would look for a jazz chording or some type of jazz improvisation book. I was actually learning improv for hymns and sacred music, but the priniciples and techniques overlapped.

[ElizabethB]

This is for an older child or adult but should give you ideas:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Play-Piano-Despite-Years-Lessons/dp/0385142633

 

The music tree series has ideas that are more child friendly, but not as extensive.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Tree-English-Students-Book/dp/1589510208/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362525119&sr=1-1&keywords=Music+tree

[Hedgehog]

If you can get a hold of them, the ABRSM produces books (and has corresponding exams) for jazz which includes improvisation.

[Roadrunner]

Coursera is offering a free class on improv from Berklee school of music. Might be worth checking to see how they approach teaching it.

 

 

https://www.coursera.org/course/improvisation

[Paula in MS]

At this age, have the teacher teach him the I IV V I chord progression in C and G. Then have your ds assign each chord to a measure (4 beats) and play around with melodies. Then he can change those chords around for a different progression. He can also assign certain chords 2 or more measures. His ear will tell him which melody notes to use with each chord. A simple rule would be to use the same notes that are in the chord in the corresponding melody. That will get boring after a while, but it is a starting point.

 

There are a lot of books geared for adults that teach improvisation, but for a 9 year old, this will do.

 

Another favorite progression involves the vi chord which can be inserted almost anywhere in the above progression with good results. Don't bother with jazz improvisation books at this point. Just give him a few tools to help him explore.

 

If this makes absolutely no sense to you, I could probably find some websites. Your teacher should be able to teach this progression easily if he has not encountered it yet in his piano books.

 

[garddwr]

I just wanted to say thank you to those who responded. I got the book ElizabethB recommended, and enrolled myself in the coursera course. I figure I will be better able to teach once I learn to do this myself.