In this episode of Learn Piano: A Personal Practice, you’ll explore improvisation as the natural next step after playing by ear. Improvisation  is not about perfection but expression, t’s about permission to explore sound freely and have a conversation between your ears, heart, and hands. Listeners will be guided through simple ways to begin, like warming up in one key, varying familiar tunes such as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, or looping chords like C–Am–F–G to discover new moods. You’ll be introduced to call-and-response, mood-based playing, storytelling through images or poetry, and adding fills or flourishes to songs. Playing from lead sheets is a form of improvisation—shaping rhythm and melody in real time. The episode closes with an invitation to play short, spontaneous sessions as seeds for original compositions. Improvisation is not about showing off but about showing up with curiosity, trust, and presence turning each moment at the piano into an act of listening and discovery.

Subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cynthiaalistudios.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You will receive updates on podcasts and book club info too.

For upcoming classes, you can find details here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Adult Piano Community | Cynthia Ali Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠

Copyright © 2025 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.

The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])

The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.