Foundation of Improvisation – Your First Step to Creative Freedom in 18th Century Style

This Basic Course (Level 1) is specifically designed for musicians and experienced hobby piano & organ players who already play classical music, particularly from the 18th century (Baroque, Classic), but have never taken the step to improvise. This is your essential introduction to classical improvisation, providing the foundations you need to begin creating your own music in the Baroque/Classical style.

🎯 What You Will Learn and Achieve

In this course, you will learn how to:

• Make your first steps in improvisation, breaking free from relying solely on sheet music.
• Improvise piano or organ pieces based on short, fundamental Baroque models and patterns, such as basic sequences and cadences.
• Harmonize parts of chorals and figurate basic patterns of the 18th century.
• Understand and apply General Bass (figured bass) notation in your playing.
• Play light variations over a given bass, such as short Chaconnes and Passacaglias.
• Create short preludes over a simple schema or pedal point.
• Explore different affects (characters), experimenting with a single schema to create pieces ranging from a calm Adagio to a festive Prelude.
• Experience personal freedom in your music by expressing yourself spontaneously within the constraints of the 18th century style.

📦 What’s Included in the Package?

You receive comprehensive material from two full years of instruction:

• Lifetime Access to two complete course editions (recordings of 14 lessons from 2023 and 14 lessons from 2024 Zoom meetings, ca. 28 hours of recordings).
• Support: You can ask course-related questions directly to the instructor, who will respond via email or comment three times a week.
• One Year Community Access for continuous support and inspiration from fellow members.

🎓 Who Is This Course For and What Are the Requirements?

This course is for you if you:

• Already know and play classical music, specifically Baroque and Classical music, on the piano, organ, or other keyboard instruments.
• Are tired of playing only from notes, seek to overcome perfectionism, and want to create something personal and original in the classical style.
• Are enthusiastic about classical music and wish to deepen your engagement by using simple patterns to express yourself independently.

Requirements:

• Instrumental Experience: You must have a certain level of experience playing classical/baroque music (at least a few years).
• Music Theory: Basic music theory knowledge is required, including familiarity with notes, intervals, and chords.
• Listening Experience: You should have existing experience listening to classical music and be enthusiastic about the genre.