🎶 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 for a piano teacher association in Alberta, where I shared key observations on improvisation—insights that have deeply influenced my own journey. These ideas come from my training with Music for People in the United States, where I earned a four-year certificate in improvisation. My mentor during that time, Jane Butters, gave me invaluable feedback on my recordings and assignments. Her observations, combined with my own experience, shaped my perspective on why improvisation is so important.

So today, I want to share with you the top reasons why we should all embrace improvisation—not just as an occasional experiment, but as a core part of our musical growth.

🎼 1. Improvisation is FUN! 🎉
One of the biggest reasons to improvise is simple: it’s fun! Once you get past the initial hesitation, improvisation brings joy and excitement to your playing.

When you’re in the moment, experimenting with sounds and ideas, it’s hard not to smile. It creates a bond between musicians when playing together, and for teachers, it builds a deeper connection with students. When an improvisation really takes off, it’s an incredible feeling!

🎹 2. Improvisation Creates a Deeper Connection to Your Instrument
When you improvise, you don’t just play the piano—you communicate with it.
You release emotions through sound.
Your instrument becomes a trusted companion and confidant.
You explore the world of sound beyond written notes.

This direct connection to your instrument is something sheet music alone can’t provide. It makes playing more personal, more expressive, and more authentic to you.

🎶 3. Immediate Accessibility – Anyone Can Improvise!
You don’t need advanced technique or years of experience to improvise. Even beginners can do it!
A simple three to five-note melody can be the start of an improvisation.
A basic rhythm can spark creative expression.
No matter your level, you can start where you are and grow from there.
Improvisation isn’t just for professionals or jazz musicians—it’s for everyone.

👂 4. Improvisation Opens Your Ears & Strengthens Aural Skills
When we play from sheet music, we tend to rely on our eyes more than our ears. Research shows that when reading a score, our other senses (like hearing) function at only 20% capacity.

But when we improvise:
We fully engage our ears.
We learn to listen actively rather than just playing notes.
Our aural skills improve naturally.

This is why improvisation is one of the best ways to train your musical ear.

🧘 5. Emotional & Physical Release – The Power of Flow
Improvisation puts you in a state of flow—a place of deep concentration, creativity, and emotional release.

It helps you stay present in the moment.
It brings a sense of calmness and fulfillment.
It creates a feeling of freedom and mindfulness.

Many musicians describe this as being “in the zone”—where the music just flows effortlessly.

🎭 6. Freedom & Spontaneity – Taking Musical Risks
Improvisation encourages risk-taking in the best way possible!
You learn to trust your instincts.
You discover unexpected musical ideas.
You develop spontaneity—which can even improve your classical playing.

For classical musicians, this is especially valuable. It brings flexibility and creativity back into structured playing.

👐 7. Physical Self-Discovery – Playing in a Way That Feels Natural
When you improvise your own music, your movements become more organic.

This was a huge discovery for me personally.

Years ago, I suffered an injury that limited my ability to play classical repertoire. Improvisation became my lifeline. It allowed me to:
Play within my physical limits.
Discover my own natural hand movements.
Develop a more fluid and personal technique.
Improvisation helped me heal, adapt, and continue making music.

🎨 8. The Creative Process – Thinking Like a Composer
Improvisation teaches you how music is built.
How do phrases work?
How does harmony function?
How do composers structure their pieces?
When you improvise, you think like a composer, which deepens your understanding of all music you play.

💡 9. Confidence – Discovering That Music Belongs to YOU
I’ve seen many students gain confidence through improvisation.
They feel less afraid of mistakes.
They know how to recover from memory slips in performances.
They feel proud of discovering their own music.
Music doesn’t belong only to the great composers—it belongs to you, too!

📚 10. Complete Learning – A Better Way to Understand Music Theory
Improvisation helps you internalize music theory in a practical, hands-on way. Instead of learning theory as an abstract subject, you actually apply it to music-making.
Want to understand harmony? Improvise on different chord progressions.
Want to explore scales? Use them in spontaneous melodies.
Want to grasp musical form? Create your own pieces and musical forms on the spot.

This method makes learning theory more intuitive and meaningful.

🎤 11. Reducing Performance Anxiety
Improvisation reduces stage fright by giving you more control over your performance.
If you have a memory slip, you can improvise your way back.
If something unexpected happens, you don’t panic—you adapt.
You gain a deeper sense of musical freedom and security.
Many of my students say that improvisation has helped them feel more comfortable and confident on stage.

🎶 My Own Transformation Through Improvisation
For years, I was a strictly classical pianist. I believed my job was to play exactly what was on the page—nothing more, nothing less.

Then, after my injury, I found myself unable to play the music I loved. I felt lost.

That’s when I turned to improvisation.

Instead of playing music by others, I started creating my own. It was a huge breakthrough—not only in my playing but in my mindset.

Since then, improvisation has become my passion, my mission, and my career. I’ve:

🎶 Composed music for students.
🎶 Released piano improvisation albums.
🎶 Taught improvisation at various institutions.

Today, I help other pianists discover the same creative freedom that changed my life in my online program ” Creative Piano Artistry”.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or limited by sheet music, I encourage you to try improvising. You might just find a whole new world of music inside you.