Last Updated on January 24, 2022 by Rebecca
“Unfinished”
*Video at bottom of post
I created this improvisation a few weeks ago, and while I really like it, it's just… unfinished.
It cuts off early because I just couldn't think of a way to end it. Or maybe it cuts off early because it wasn't the end, but I wasn't sure where I wanted to go next with it.
Either way, it's most definitely unfinished!
And I want to use this as an opportunity to discuss what is possibly the single most valuable advice I can give you when it comes to piano. (And life in general, really.)
Just show up.
It's like what they say to writers… write a little bit every day. Even if it's only for 15 minutes. Even if it's garbage. Because that's the only way you'll ever get better.
By doing.
Did something great? That's wonderful. You'll learn how to do it again in the future.
Did something crappy? That's wonderful. You'll learn how to avoid doing it again in the future.
Did something unfinished? That's wonderful. You learned something from it. And now you have something to come back to another time. Or something to inspire your next creative idea.
Did nothing? That's not wonderful. Because you're stagnant. You've taken zero steps forward.
If fact, you've taken zero steps anywhere. You haven't even taken steps backwards. And any steps taken are better than staying stuck in place!
Even steps backwards give you insight.
Zero steps gives you nothing.
You can't master any skill if you're not actively doing it.
So show up on your piano bench every day.
Even if it's for 5 minutes. Even if all you practice is one measure of the song you're learning, or 1 chord change, or 1 scale, or 5 minutes of melody doodling… or anything!
Whatever you do, just don't pass your piano by!
Take my unfinished improvisation as an example.
Did I create a completed piece of music?
Not at all.
But…
I pushed myself out of my “usual” and did something more upbeat with a quicker tempo. Broke a little bit out of my own musical rut, so to speak.
I incorporated more richness and harmonies into my right hand melody. Something I've noticed is not often present when I improvise, so I've been making a conscious effort to do more of it.
I created a little bit of music that I actually really like, and would like to revisit later with my composer hat on. This is an opportunity to do some thinking about where I'd like to go with this piece and grow it into something more substantial.
I let off some steam, kept my musical creative juices flowing, and had a lot of fun!
So, did I benefit from this improvisation?
Abso-friggen-lutely!
So go show up!
Today!
Right now!
Your piano is waiting for you!
Share Your Thoughts!
How can you show up today with your piano? Share a piano experience you've had where you didn't accomplish exactly what you set out to do, but you did earn a positive takeaway. Tell us about a time in your life when you reaped the rewards of simply showing up.
I used to play the piano. I cannot write music though. I wish I can. I can write lyrics because I love to write poetry but music, I’m not so good with that. 🙁
Hi Crickette! The beauty of improvising is that you don’t have to write any music at all. You just play it, straight from the heart! 🙂 And I really admire that you can write lyrics. That’s something I’ve never felt comfortable doing.
Just do it. Nike really hit gold with that one, didn’t they?
I always wished that I’d gotten piano lessons when I was younger. I was fascinated with music but I grew up in a very academic-orientated country.
Anyway, I loved the video. Even unfinished it was beautiful. 🙂
Thank you Jade! I’m glad you liked it! 🙂 Nike did hit solid gold with that slogan, for sure!
I always say, it’s never too late to learn piano! What country did you grow up in?
I don’t play piano, but this is a lovely example about what can happen when we make the choice to just go do what we need to do. Beautiful things happen!
Hi Kendra, thanks so much! 🙂 And that’s exactly right… we all just gotta do what we gotta do!