If you want a quick and easy way to get creative with repertoire, a musical mashup is your answer.

But before we dive right into this Level 2 creativity activity, here’s a Level 1 to ease you in.

Table of Contents:

1. Keep the pitch, change the rest
2. Brave, creative minds can try this
3. More suggestions

Keep the pitch, change the rest

Make changes to a piece using non-pitch elements. Experiment with changing:

• Dynamics (how would the overall feel change if you played the Forte section Pianissimo?)
• Articulation (what effect do you create by playing staccato rather than legato?)
• Speed (if the piece is meant to be played quickly, try it slowly)
• Octaves (how will it sound if you play it
• Feel (swing/straight)

Brave, creative minds can try this…

When your student feels comfortable making small changes to their piece, they’re ready to be introduced to Level 2.

Step 1: Find a piece with a noticeable repeating left-hand pattern (if their current piece doesn’t have one, choose another one)

Step 2: Determine the key/mode and overall style of the piece. This step is vital in selecting the right notes for improvisation.

Step 3: Help the student improvise a new right hand over the left hand.

• Based on the style you identified in Step 2, choose an appropriate scale:
  • For Jazz or Blues styles, use the blues scale (e.g., C blues scale: C, E flat, F, F sharp, G, B flat, C).
  • For Classical styles, use the major or minor scale corresponding to the key.
  • For Modern styles, the pentatonic scale can be effective (e.g., C pentatonic scale: C, D, E, G, A).

More suggestions for getting creative with repertoire

• You could play the repeating left hand pattern while your student focuses on playing the right hand melody
• For students who are resistant, start small. Use only a few notes from the scale to begin with, or use techniques like copy and echo (you play a short phrase and they copy it)
• Encourage your student to experiment with different rhythms and note combinations within the chosen scale
• Remind them that it’s okay to try new things, even if they don’t sound ‘perfect.’ The goal is to be creative and explore.

Try it tomorrow (I bet your students will love it!)

If you want to hear Tim talk about Musical Mashup in more detail,