This is a question I hear frequently at the end of lessons these days and I love it! Ever since I attended the workshop by Forrest and Akiko Kinney a couple of years ago and started using the Pattern Play series, my studio has been transformed. We focus so much more on making music together, and many of my students have grown to love and excel at improvising.
I found out that the Kinneys conduct Teacher Creativity Intensive courses during the summer to equip teachers to use the series more effectively with their students. I’ve been wanting to go for a while, and this year it looks like it’s really going to happen, so I wanted to let you all know about it in case you’re interested in being a part of this fabulous opportunity!
The course I’m planning to attend is on August 2-3 in the Seattle, Washington area (the store where they are held is in Tukwila), and there are six openings left! If you’re interested, be sure to visit the website and register. I’m super excited about learning and growing in my own improvisation skills and then coming back and equipping my students so that they will gain more confidence in their ability to sight-read and improvise “on the fly” at the piano!
Oh I totally agree! I wish they would video their teachings!
Seriously?! Oh, drat. I was reading along, getting so excited about the workshop. Then to find out it’s only two hours from me? And you’re going? And then to see the date and realize I will be on the other side of the state that week, in Spokane. How sad!!
Now that I know they do them in WA, I’ll keep my eye out for future possibilities, but I sure will miss meeting you!
As a kid I would pick a key and improv in that key for about ten minutes a day. At first it was never jazz improv. I was just getting used to how the keys felt. It was one of the most beneficial practice techniques in my career.
Sometimes I post small studies on improv. Here is just a simple one. It explains a method that I like to use to start an improv session.
http://www.musicianlauncher.com/2012/05/more-improvisation-in-c.html
I’m interested to see what this Patterns Play series is all about. Thanks.
Thank you for the positive feedback about the Kinney’s material. I am so excited to hear him at the Oregon Music Teachers Assoc. conference this weekend. I’ll be sure to inquire about their workshops as well. I saw on their site that they do have others scheduled in Seattle during July.