Improvise in 30 - question

[ralphski]

I am hoping someone, or willie, will be able to help with this.

I've been doing the improvise in 30 series. Great! Love it!

Unfortunately when I get to the "Page 20 licks" lesson, I get stuck on the bit at 4'42". It's when you start playing a simple quarter note rhythm with the chords in the left hand, and the dee ba dee ba dah dah licks in the right hand.

Basically the left hand goes berserk, and attempts to play the rhythm played by the right hand. So if the right hand is playing legato style for example, the left hand refuses to play staccato like willie is showing in the video.

So my question is:

- Is there any lesson, or bunch of lessons that deals with hand indepence? (I've done some of mastering rhythms but that mainly deals with the rhythms themselves, not the independence between hands).


Both my left hand, and right hand, thank any replies in advance.

[ralphski]

OK, I am just going through some of the piao basics lessons, and hopefully I will stumble on to the 2 handed rhythms soon...


But if anyone has any pointers in the meantime, let them fly..

[sigmax]

ralphski
I am not familiar with the Improv in 30 units but I am familiar with the 2 handed "patting your head while rubbing your stomach" conundrum. Take a look at Willie's Blues and Boogie series. He has a very step by step approach to playing a "shuffle" rhythm in the left hand and improvising with the right. The left and right hands get gradually more complicated as the lessons develop. I have found it very helpful to get out of playing in lockstep (my normal mode).
Jazz and Blues Vol 1 also has a good walking bass line that stays independent of a "comping" right hand.
I would also welcome the Maestro's advice on this, particularly relevant exercises.
regards
max

[cbirkholtz]

Hi,

if you get stuck on these Page20 Licks I daresay You probably didn't work trough the former lessons. Do the lessons in Order and (like willy said loads of times) be patient with your self and I promise in a little while (maybe just a view days - or weeks) you will be astound about yourself.

keep groovin

Christian

[seachord]

Preliminary disclaimer: TOTAL piano NOOB here! But the Improv-30 course had enough basic stuff to get to sign up.

Naturally, my hands were in total lock-step in the beginning. It was a real train-wreck when I tried to get the LH to do the C-D#-F-G thing going, and THEN have the RH do something else. The "big breakthru" started when I turned off the metronome, and started counting (out loud) VERY slowly. LH hits a C - RH finger hits a note. Then LH goes to D#, RH finger hits another note (any one at first)... and so on. I think the SUPER SLOWDOWN is the big thing that seemed to help my mind get into it. It is getting better as the days go by.

Still a long way to go, but I think if you go into ULTRA SUPER SLO-MO for the beginning and let your mind sus out what is happening, then you'll start to 'get it'.

While I'm on a roll here - let me say that COUNTING OUT LOUD (I'm using "One-and Two-and"...) with the slow-down made 1/8 notes in right hand come to life.

Hope all that helped. ;)

=Alan R.

[rhythmsong]

Hey There:

I'm in agreement with a number of suggestions made hear which I would summarize as follows: SLOW DOWN; COUNT, and review the basics!

I'm also going to suggest that you consider working on independence away from the piano. Pick up a cop of Ted Reed's "Syncopation"(jazz drumming primer). Practice playing the bass drum quarter note pattern with your left hand, and the melodic rhythms with your right hand. This may seem a bit offbeat, but I think you will find it helpful!

What's nice about this is that you can work on rhythmic stuff at off times, like during a bus/train:cool: ride, or better yet, a boring meeting at work. Nothing like getting paid to practice!

Best of Luck,
Bruce

[wmyette]

I love that Ted Reed book and bought it myself years ago to use. Also Louis Bellson's reading in 4/4.

Now, about hand independence. It takes a while! I say that because you need to know that it is a long road to build up independence.

There are 2 parts (well others, but 2 big ones) and they are:

1) rhythm
2) notes

Many students have written correctly about the rhythm aspect of independence. Now, the next question is what notes do you apply to that rhythmic independence.

It is always a great idea to make an exercise for yourself that allows you to "check your work".

So, try doing a simple bassline like the one in Improv in 30. Next, add a string of eighth notes. Figuring out the math, you can easily see where the notes should "line up"

So, the bassline is C-Eb-F-G in half notes. That means 4 eighth notes in the right hand for every one note in the left.

Staying aware of the rhythmic math allows you to check yourself and make sure that your independence is on track.

Also, check out the lessons Warmups & Improvisation and Hanon Mastery