Modulation

Changing keys is a great way to add energy and interest to music but how does one get from one key to another?

Composing, Improvising, ArrangingBradley SowashAugust 2, 2019modulation, key change, key signatures, keys

From Story to Sound

Use story to inspire improvisation in five steps.

Bradley SowashMay 9, 2019

Hand Independence

Hand independence may be one of the biggest barriers to playing our instrument well but it’s also why people want to learn piano in the first place!

TechniqueBradley SowashJanuary 26, 2019

How to Practice Jazz

Discover the differences between practicing written and improvised music.

Practice, TechniqueBradley SowashJanuary 4, 2019

Reimagining Jingle Bells

Apply previously-learned creative concepts to create personalized arrangements of Christmas tunes.

Composing, ImprovisingBradley SowashDecember 8, 2018Christmas

Scaling the Chords

Here is my favorite process for getting first-time improvisers to take the plunge.

Improvising, TechniqueBradley SowashAugust 7, 2018

How to Teach or Learn a Blues Tune

Follow the steps I used to lead a 12-year-old to tear up a classic blues tune.

Improvising, Teaching TipsBradley SowashJune 12, 2018

What are the best notes for improvising?

How do you know what notes to play in an improvisation?

ImprovisingBradley SowashFebruary 13, 2018Melody mixup, jazz solo

Play Christmas Tunes by Ear

The holiday season is a great time for learning tunes by ear.

Teaching Tips, Holidays, Play by earBradley SowashDecember 15, 2017play by ear, holiday, Christmas, accompanying

How to Play Pop Tunes by Ear

My formula for learning or teaching pop tunes by ear.

Play by earBradley SowashNovember 9, 2017

Scary Music

Do-it-yourself scary music.

Improvising, Composing, HolidaysBradley SowashOctober 5, 2017Scary

Improvised Outros

Add one last touch to your lead sheet masterpiece with a stylish ending.

Improvising, ArrangingBradley SowashSeptember 7, 2017outros, endings, lead sheets

Improvised Intros

A good musical introduction creates anticipation for the listener.

Improvising, ArrangingBradley SowashJuly 5, 2017lead sheets, intros

Dot Spots

Add improvised pizzazz to boring rhythms.

Teaching Tips, Improvising, RhythmBradley SowashJune 7, 2017dotted notes, rhythm

One Note Improv

Eliminate the problem of pitch choices by improvising a solo using just one note.

Improvising, RhythmBradley SowashMay 1, 2017pentatonic, soloing, articulations, teaching tips

Same and Different

Here’s a an easy way personalize music with touches of improvisation.

ImprovisingBradley SowashApril 1, 2017Creative Chords, rhythm

Say It and Play It

How to rhythmically enhance a melody using the natural rhythms of language.

Improvising, RhythmBradley SowashMarch 1, 2017rhythm

Three Ways to Embellish

Improvisation begins simply by merely embellishing.

ImprovisingBradley SowashFebruary 6, 2017Neighbor notes, Fill notes, repeated notes, embellishing

Bright ideas for creative pianists and teachers.