Piano Re-harmonization and Improvisation for Very Beginners

Explore the major scale and its diatonic harmonization, learning how each scale degree yields chords such as C major, D minor, and E minor, with roman numeral guidance for improvisation.

Add a major seventh to the I and IV chords in a major-key progression to reharmonize, for example C major and F major, especially in slow songs.

Apply a quick tip: turn the iv chord from F major to F minor in a C major progression, then return to the I to create a cool ending twist.

Use a quick tip to re-harmonize a phrase by shifting the dominant with a bass move down to F major, creating a fresh suspended color before returning to C major.

Change keys by using the dominant seventh of the next key, with a 1-4-5 framework, so singers and listeners feel the shift smoothly.

Develop improvisation skills by practicing arpeggios over a I–IV–V–I progression using seventh chords, at a slow tempo of 70 bpm with right-hand melodies.

Practice piano reharmonization and improvisation for beginners by using a 1–4–5 progression with arpeggio voicings, such as C major, F major 7, and G dominant, with a metronome.

Practice pre-improvisation by playing the C major I IV V7 chords (Cmaj7, Fmaj7, G7) with the right hand, then set tempo with the left hand to build timing and harmony.

Practice thinking about the notes of the chord and playing the next note, then resolving to the chord tone, at 60 bpm in a ballad style using C major 7.

Practice the two five one harmony progression by arpeggios in root position with the right hand, including octave patterns, at a 15 bpm metronome for piano reharmonization and improvisation.

Apply re-harmonization and improvisation to a favorite slow ballad by elevating chords with seventh and ninth, exploring major seven and minor seven voicings while practicing arpeggios at a steady tempo.

Learn to voice with the ninth, distributing the third and ninth across bass and higher voices in a C major example and a dominant seven with bass G and F.

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