In the Suzuki community, we say it is a "journey" because we are always learning.  That means teachers, too!  

Last weekend I attended the Massachusetts Suzuki Festival, an annual event sponsored by our state Suzuki association, Suzuki Association of Massachusetts. This year it was held 100% online, but in past years it has been a two day festival at New England Conservatory.  We truly miss the in-person Festival that has always been a highlight for so many Suzuki teachers and students to come together.  The Festival includes workshops for students but also workshops for teachers. As a volunteer, I assisted with one of the piano workshops held by guest Suzuki Teacher Trainer Nancy Modell.  With the advantages of online classes, Nancy taught local students from her studio in New Jersey!

I learned a lot from Nancy Modell. This is the journey that is never ending and such a wonderful opportunity for teachers to get fresh ideas and put new energy into our own teaching.  Nancy is a huge proponent of improvisation and composition!  I think this complements so nicely with our three-part program of lessons, group classes and musicianship.  Already I have taken her ideas and used them in my group classes this week.  Thank you, Nancy!

Improvisation is generally described as "making it up as you go." Often composers just improvise on their instrument, making things up before they come up with an idea that "sticks" which they write down and then turn it into a composition.  I am eager to learn how to improvise on the piano and also how to harmonize melodies by ear.  These are skills that I am not very good at, so I am always looking to learn about these!  At the workshop Nancy Modell had so many creative ideas for improvisation. 

Generally we start improvisation melodically--that is we make-up melodic notes to a pre-existing accompaniment.  What I learned from the workshop was how to begin to figure out how to do the harmony part and bass line---which is what I am teaching to my more advanced students. 

Here is a little sample of what I learned about the harmony part.  In these examples, the student can improvise a melody part using their own instrument. The idea is to make up your own melody. I suggest not trying to do lots of notes at first, but keep it to 2-3 notes that you can vary with the rhythm.  The first improvisation is on the white keys of the piano or using the Aeolian mode (la natural minor scale).  It lasts about 2 minutes.  Try it out!

There is a second improvisation that is on the black keys of the piano or string students can use a fa# (F#)  and sol# (G#) to get started. String students can add more notes as they get comfortable just by using their ear. 

Improvisation can be lots of fun!  But, for some it is a little intimidating because they don't know what to play.  As in all things, repetition and lots of listening will increase the comfort zone for each student. Remember, with improvisation there is no right or wrong---but we do realize that sometimes we play something we like and sometimes we don't like it.  Give it a try---and enjoy!