Fostering Creativity at the Piano

THE WAY OF PIANO • MIND • BODY • SOUL
Written by ANDREW EALES

To become a three-dimensional pianist we need to focus on developing our musical soul: that is, our latent musicality, aural internalisation, deep engagement, and creative expression. These qualities are nurtured by listening with focused intention, and developed through playful exploration at the piano.

Creativity is expressed through composing, improvising, and by developing a personal interpretation when playing the music of others. These are too often neglected in formal education and assessment, but they maximise our fulfilment at the piano and promote lifelong musical engagement.

Beethoven’s legendary quip that “to play without passion is inexcusable” points us toward the importance of nurturing the expressive and creative impetus at the heart of our playing.

START HERE
Delivering a complete curriculum with an emphasis on creativity, A Common Approach includes easy, practical activities to stimulate creativity at each stage of learning, from the beginner to the advanced pianist.

A Common Approach 2022

FREE to download, and based on input from multiple leading teachers, A Common Approach is the ultimate piano teaching manual: A complete piano curriculum, with extensive lesson activities to use with learners from beginner to Grade 8.

THE CREATIVE MUSICIAN
The following articles offer historical context, and explore ways to foster our deeper personal engagement at the piano.

Putting the PLAY back into Playing the Piano

Are you bored by method-book teaching, disappointed by the exam system, and perplexed to find that piano isn’t proving more fulfilling? If so, then this radical new manifesto for piano education in the 21st Century is for you!

Sound before symbol: lessons from history

If we commit to an approach rooted in aural transmission and musicality, while equally insisting on the importance of fluent notation reading, we can preserve and build upon the great traditions of classical music education…

The Schumann Effect

Until fairly recent times, it was the norm for classical pianists to improvise their own preludes at the start of their recitals, and to put their own indelible stamp on the repertoire that followed. Surely, the time has come to rediscover these interpretative and creative arts…

The pianist’s unique voice

How can we develop our own individual, personal voice at the piano, speaking on behalf of composers, but with our own unique dialect?

A Path that is Yours Alone

Enjoying the freedom to cut our path through uncharted musical territory, following our impulses as they suggest fresh new directions, we can begin to unravel the mysteries and wonders of our creativity.

An Empty Vessel

‘The Fermata Series’ returns to Pianodao with this short reflection on the development and meaning of our musicianship…

Finding your unique voice

The advice of teacher Nadia Boulanger set Astor Piazzolla on a course that would allow him to be creative by being himself, and developing his unique personal expression.

RESOURCES FOR CREATIVITY
The following music publications provide stimulus and context for playing by ear, developing composing, and improvisation:

A Dozen a Day • Counting Rhythm

Developing our sense of pulse, pace, and rhythmic timing are fundamental building blocks of piano playing, ‘A Dozen A Day: Counting Rhythm’ is a useful resource with lots of creative potential.

Kerstin Strecke • Little Moods

I am genuinely excited by this beautifully presented and keenly priced collection, and think it could prove to be a real winner. Kirsten Strecke has delivered an inspiring collection of 15 easy pieces which offer a springboard for a truly creative education…

The First 50 Chords

Wouldn’t it be good if there was a simple primer introducing all the basic chords and chord symbols in a logical sequence, linked to their use in well-known songs? Well now there is…

Paul Harris’s Musical Doodles

Musical Doodles is a wonderful little book, and I can see it being helpful not only to younger learners, but to anyone who wants a fresh perspective on creating music, and is ready to have fun in the process…

Juliusz Łuciuk: Children’s Improvisations

Of the many excellent educational books in the PWM Edition “cat” range for young learners, Julius Łuciuk’s Children’s Improvisations for Piano is one of the most striking in every sense, from the stunning cover to the extraordinary music within.

Agnieszka Lasko: Little Stories

Once in a while a music book comes my way which quite simply “blows me away”, and such a book is Little Stories, a lavishly illustrated new collection of 16 imaginative elementary pieces by Polish composer Agnieszka Lasko…

Indian Raags for Piano made easy

“In short, I think this book is an essential purchase for any player, at any level, who as an interest in discovering the heritage of Indian classical music.”

Alison Mathews: Doodles

Doodles is perhaps not simply a hugely enjoyable collection of mini reading pieces – the book could for many teachers prove to be a landmark revelation…

Lucinda Mackworth-Young: Piano by Ear

Perhaps one of the most genuinely useful and important piano education resource published in a while, Piano by Ear is an essential purchase. Be sure to get yourself a copy and dig in – you won’t regret it!

I highly recommend Piano Creativity, a website devised by pianist, teacher, composer, and former student Garreth Brooke, who offers a wealth of insight and free material to encourage and teach a more creative approach.

AND ALL THAT JAZZ…
Jazz has a long history as an improvised art, and although many publications provide excellent jazzy pieces and arrangements, the following resources encourage a creative and authentic approach to jazz education: