Improvisation, Composition,
Pop and Jazz
Not every student connects with piano through traditional classical repertoire alone. For those who enjoy creativity, exploration, or contemporary styles, I offer piano improvisation, composition, pop, and jazz-focused lessons in Ottawa. These lessons can be taken on their own or integrated into a student’s regular piano studies.
Improvisation and composition are powerful tools for developing musical confidence, creativity, and understanding. I primarily teach composition and arranging using the highly respected Forrest Kinney series, which are excellent for students of many ages and levels.
Improvisation
I regularly use the following three series:
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Create First
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Four levels, each available in solo or duet formats
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Ideal for beginning composers and improvisers
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Each page includes a title and musical inspiration, guiding students to create original pieces based on imagery and mood
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Pattern Play (Levels 1–6)
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Explores a wide variety of musical styles, scales, and patterns
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Suitable for students at any level, as the same page can yield very different results depending on the student
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Encourages experimentation and musical risk-taking
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Chord Play
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Designed for students interested in arranging popular songs into more sophisticated piano textures
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Develops harmonic understanding and independence from printed music
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For students working in these books, a new composition or arrangement is typically written every 1–2 weeks, allowing creativity to become a regular part of their musical routine.
Forrest Kinney's Series
Composition
Composition lessons are highly individualized and shaped by the student’s interests. Some students enjoy free exploration, while others want to learn how to write within a specific style.
For example:
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A Baroque minuet requires a clear structure, stylistic melodic choices, and harmonic rules
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Lessons become collaborative discussions about the student’s musical vision and how effectively it is being realized
These lessons strengthen musical understanding while giving students a sense of ownership over their music.
Below are two examples of students who have studied some composition with me:
Pop Piano Repertoire
For students who prefer contemporary music, I am happy to teach pop piano repertoire drawn from:
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Favorite artists or bands
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Movie, television, or video game soundtracks
I frequently use the Faber Piano Adventures “Hits” series, which offers well-crafted arrangements at a variety of levels.
The only requirement is that the music be available in print (book or downloadable sheet music).
Examples of popular repertoire include:
Adele, Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Pharrell Williams, One Direction, Awolnation, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Minecraft, and more.
This approach is less structured than classical piano, but it can be deeply motivating and enjoyable for students who connect more strongly with modern styles.
Jazz Piano Lessons (Foundational Level)
While I am classically trained, I am happy to offer introductory jazz piano lessons focusing on:
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Jazz and blues styles
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Basic jazz harmony
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Swing rhythms and stylistic articulation
For beginners through early-intermediate students, I often use:
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Faber Piano Adventures: Jazz & Blues (multiple levels)
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Martha Mier’s Jazz, Rags, and Blues (four levels)
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FJH In Recital: Jazz, Rags, and Blues, which includes both solo and four-hand repertoire
For students wishing to pursue advanced jazz study, I recommend working with a jazz specialist and would be happy to provide referrals.