Boring piano improvisation

As we look around at the state of the world, the prospect of humanity’s future doesn’t always seem bright. But perhaps, there’s hope in our smallest, most essential friends: bees. In this piano improvisation, I’ve imagined what it would sound like if bees ruled the world. And of course, every new kingdom needs its national anthem! This improvisation, titled Bees’ Anthem, draws inspiration from both the serene, minimalist style of Arvo Pärt and the quiet strength of bees. I limited myself to playing exclusively in the key of B-flat major, without modulation and without a time signature. This self-imposed constraint became a personal challenge, pushing me to explore new ways of creating interest and movement within these boundaries. I also decided to use the soft pedal throughout the piece, which gave it a muted, dreamlike quality—a sound that bees, after all their hard work, surely deserve. The result is a slow, contemplative improvisation that, I hope, captures the essence of both mini...

I've put together this playlist of piano improvisations as a fun way to challenge myself. I've set myself a few little constraints, like using a specific key or time signature, or trying out some new techniques like using only two fingers.

This playlist features melancholic piano improvisations, offering a gentle, reflective backdrop for an autumn day. Each piece captures the introspective mood of the season, blending soft piano tones with spontaneous creativity. These improvisations explore themes of nostalgia and quiet beauty, making them a subtle accompaniment for moments of stillness and contemplation.

Leonard B. Meyer was an influential musicologist known for his exploration of how we experience music emotionally. Meyer’s work, Emotion and Meaning in Music, tackles complex questions about why certain compositions resonate deeply with listeners, while others fall flat. His theories provide a lens through which we can better understand how elements like musical tension, release, and expectation play crucial roles in shaping our emotional responses to music. According to Meyer, the effectiveness of a musical piece hinges on the balance between surprise and predictability. Music that meets every expectation might be pleasant, but it often fails to leave a lasting impact. Conversely, music that defies expectations entirely risks feeling chaotic or unsatisfying. Meyer argues that the ideal lies somewhere in between: a composition that subtly challenges listeners, keeping them on their toes without overwhelming them, ultimately provides a more profound and memorable experience. As a music...

  This improvisation is my nod to baroque elegance and to bees' important and endangered role in keeping the earth (and music on it) alive. If bees vanish, humanity will not survive. Perhaps it’s time we give back to nature all those meadows we’ve cleared away. I miss them.

Bossa nova-inspired piano improvisation, played on an upright piano with the soft pedal throughout. The soft pedal doesn’t just save your neighbors: it adds a beautiful, muted nuance to the sound. This improvisation blends classical jazz harmonies with bossanova rhythms. Bossa Nova, a slowed-down samba rhythm developed in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1950s, is something I’m a fan of, and its influence sneaks into my playing from time to time. This isn’t a tutorial though, just a vibe video. I had a lot of fun, although I had no idea of what key to press and when.

Welcome to a world of boring piano improvisations! If you're here, you probably appreciate the art of slow, reflective music. Here are two playlists to help you dive into boringness. One featuring my favorites, and the other a collection of my longest pieces. This first playlist is for those who enjoy variety in their music. It blends jazz, folk, classical harmonies, and even some bossa nova influences. Each impro offers a different combination of styles, creating an eclectic mix. If you can’t decide what kind of music to listen to, this might be your solution! If you thought "boring piano improvisations" was just a joke, welcome to the core of it. This second playlist is a collection of my longest piano improvisations. Perfect for procrastinators, daydreamers, or someone with a lot of time to kill. As you´ll hear, I, too, am a big fan of Keith Jarrett, and was influenced by his music. Feel free to share your thoughts or even suggest ideas for future improvisations.