Hello, and welcome back, I'm Joseph Hoffman. You've probably been practicing hot cross buns from our last
lesson which is great because today we're going to learn how to play and
improvise with hot cross buns jazz style. To improvise means to make up your own
music on the spot. You choose the notes as you go,
anything you want. There's no right or wrong. For our improvisation today we're
going to be playing along with a backing track which by the way you can download
from our website as a free gift when you register for Hoffman Academy. This backing
track is also found on the practice album which is included as part of the
complete materials for unit 1 lessons 1 through 20. The backing track gives us
accompaniment to play along with. Let's come to the piano to see how this works.
First we'll place our fingers on the three black keys. Then we will press play on
the backing track.
While it's playing, listen for four clicks. That's your signal to start playing.
1-2-3-4
Then you improvise.
1-2-3-4
Now it's going to be your turn to try, but first let me give you a few tips. Before you press play on the backing
track make sure you have your hand in position on the three black keys. Then when
you hear the four clicks think inside your head
1-2-3-4. Then after you say four you start playing hot cross buns on the next beat.
Let's practice like this.
Say with me, 1-2-3-4 hot. Ok let's try together and actually on hot let's clap
our hands. So we go
1-2-3-4 hot. Ok try it with me, ready, go
1-2-3-4 hot. Good, now let's try it on the keys. We're going to say 1-2-3-4 hot crossed buns
and instead of clapping on hot we're going to start playing on the beat right after
you say four. Try it with me let's count and then start playing, ready, go.
1-2-3-4 hot crossed buns. And stop.
Try one more time. Count with me and then start playing on the next beat, ready, go.
1-2-3-4 hot crossed buns.
Good. So now when you are playing the backing track you're going to listen for the
four clicks and then you're going to play hot cross buns. Then you're going to
improvise using the same three notes you just used to play hot cross buns. Like I
said there isn't a right or wrong for improvising but if you're not sure how
to get started here are some ideas
one idea for improvising is to use the same words and timing but just change
the notes. For example, instead of hot crossed buns you can use the same words but new notes like
hot crossed buns, hot crossed buns, one a penny, two a penny, hot crossed buns.
That had all the same words, but just tried some new notes. It's also possible to change
the timing or add extra words that you make up yourself, like "I like hot crossed buns, oh yeah, I like them, hot crossed buns."
You can make up anything you want.
Also, Improvisations don't have to have words at all. You can just listen and
enjoy the various sounds and patterns the three black keys can make. Remember
you have repeating notes.
you can do stepping notes up or down or you can skip notes like from MI all the way down to DO.
One thing I do not recommend doing is just playing completely randomly like
this. That would be kind of like talking like blablablabla. No one could
understand you. When you improvise, play your notes clearly, just like talking. Have fun
making up your very own music. While you're doing the improvisation be
listening for the four clicks. That's going to be your signal to end the
improvisation and play hot cross buns one last time.
To summarize, you're going to start the backing track. Listen for four clicks,
play hot cross buns, improvise, then four clicks again and play hot cross buns one
last time.
Ok, it's time for you to give it a try. If you're not totally happy with your
improvisation, fine. You can rewind and try again and again as many times as
you like. Here we go. I'm going to play hot cross buns along with you but when it's
time to improvise you're on your own.
Go ahead and get your hand in position. The backing track is about to begin.
Improvise.
1-2-3-4
Great job today learning how to improvise with hot cross buns jazz style.
Remember, you can download this backing track either by signing up for Hoffman Academy
and getting the free welcome gift, or if you want the complete
materials for unit 1, which gives you sheet music, music theory activity pages
and mp3 practice tracks for lessons 1 through 20 you can visit the Hoffman
Academy store. When you improvise with hot cross buns, be sure to try it
sometimes in your right hand and sometimes in your left hand. We want both
hands to become fully trained in piano, so be sure to give both of your hands
equal practice. It's only fair, right? Left? You know what I mean. I hope you have lots of
fun practicing your improvising. Thanks for watching and see you next time.
Croak!