Rediscovering Improvisation Through the Classical Score

For many of us who have grown up reading and interpreting written music, the score feels like home. It’s where we feel safe and confident. But what if that same score could become an open door — a space where you can explore, create, and express yourself more freely? Improvisation doesn’t need to mean stepping into jazz or learning a new theoretical system. You can READ MORE

3 Simple Ways to Start Improvising at the Piano Today

I’d love to share with you three easy ways to begin improvising at the piano. Whether you’re exploring for yourself or looking for fresh ideas to bring into your teaching studio, these activities are simple, fun, and can get you playing creatively right away. 🎵 Tip 1: Start with Rhythm If you don’t know what to play, begin with rhythm. Clap a pattern with your READ MORE

How to Start Teaching Improvisation as a Classical Piano Teacher (Without Becoming a Jazz Musician)

If you’re a classically trained piano teacher, you might have whispered this to yourself at some point: “I would love to teach improvisation… but I don’t know where to start. And I’m not a jazz player.” Here’s the truth: 🎹 You don’t need to master jazz theory to help your students improvise. 🎹 You don’t have to abandon the classical foundations you love. Improvisation isn’t READ MORE

Classical Roots, Creative Wings — A New Way to Improvise

There’s a quiet longing I often hear from classical pianists—a wish that feels both curious and conflicted: “I want to improvise… but I don’t want to lose my connection to classical music.” Perhaps you’ve felt that too. You sit at the piano, feeling the urge to explore beyond the page, but what comes out feels foreign—like you’ve slipped into someone else’s language. Maybe it sounds READ MORE

How to Say “Yes!” When Someone Hands You a Random Piano

Montreal’s street pianos, hotel lobbies, family parties—sooner or later every pianist gets the surprise request: “Play something for us!” If you’ve ever panicked in that moment, here’s a practical way to turn fear into fun. 1. Choose a Comfort‑Zone Framework Pick one structure you can play in your sleep: Four‑Chord Loop (I‑V‑VI‑IV) A Black‑Key Pentatonic Soundscape Everything is consonant, so you can meander freely. 12‑Bar READ MORE

Unleashing Your Creative Voice at the Piano

Today, I want to talk about something that’s come up in several conversations I’ve had recently with pianists: the desire to express themselves musically without being tied to any specific style or expectation. This isn’t about classical or jazz or pop. It’s about something deeper—free, creative expression. 🎶 It’s not about sounding good or being right—it’s about tuning into your own musical soul. Most tutorials READ MORE

How to Create Powerful Solos Using Just a Few Notes

Today, I want to explore a concept that’s simple—but incredibly powerful: how to create strong, expressive solos using just a few notes. A few minutes ago, I sat at the piano and played a short improvisation using only three notes—and it was full of emotion, clarity, and musicality. Why? Because sometimes, less is more. 🎶 Why Fewer Notes Can Make More Musical Sense As pianists, READ MORE

🎶 Why Should We Improvise? The Missing Piece in Classical Music Training 🎹

Today, I want to talk about a topic that comes up often in conversations with classical pianists and musicians: Why should we improvise? Many musicians I meet wonder if they’re missing out by not improvising. Some are afraid of it, some don’t see its purpose, and others simply don’t know where to start. Sounds familiar? Last weekend, on Saturday, March 22, I gave a webinar READ MORE

How to Improvise on Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2

For many classical pianists, improvisation can feel like an elusive skill—one that was never included in traditional training. If you’ve ever felt stuck following the notes exactly as written, unable to create freely, you’re not alone. But the good news is that improvisation is a skill you can learn, and today, I’m going to show you how to get started using Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 READ MORE

How to Start Improvising with Bach’s Prelude BWV 999

In my recent FB Live, I introduced a fun and accessible way to start improvising using a well-known piece: Bach’s Prelude BWV 999. We took the first few bars of this prelude and explored different ways to build up improvisations. Whether you’re a classical musician looking to expand your creativity or someone wanting to explore improvisation with structure, this is a great starting point! Step 1: READ MORE