Diatonic Improvising (suggestions)	Piano Pages   William Wieland
Prerequisites: Pentatonic Improvising and several major cadence patterns. (See Piano Pages, center.)
A. Listen. Let your ear guide your performances.
B. Memorize the following chord progression. It consists of 2 phrases, antecedent and consequent.   I   IV   I   V     I   IV   V   I     i.e.
C. You might begin with the following accompaniment patterns. They are elaborations of the C major Cadence Pattern. Easy March Another March Waltz Alberti Bass
D. Improvise a melody which fits your harmonic progression. Begin in C major. You might begin by playing long tones in your right hand, e.g. Long Tones - Progression 1. Choose your own long tones. Make certain each right hand note is a note of the left hand chord. Play a different rhythm in your right hand, e.g. Repeated Rhythms - Progression 1. Invent your own rhythm, but keep your left hand steady. With the simple rhythm of Repeated Rhythms - Progression 1, choose right hand notes from the current left hand chord. Finally, add nonchord tones, e.g. Passing Tones - Progression 1 The consequent phrase will sound most conclusive if it cadences on tonic and a long tone. End the antecedent on a less final scale degree than the consequent. I suggest the second scale degree on a long tone. Mix and match from all of the above. Finally, learn in several keys.
E. For the piano proficiency, memorize another progression. "Progression 2"   V   I   IV   V     I   IV   V   I           Examples: Long Tones - Progression 2 Repeated Rhythms - Progression 2 Neighboring Tones - Progression 2 "Yet Another Progression"   V   I   V   I     IV   I   V   I