Improvisation in Collegiate Class Piano

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research was to investigate an aural approach to improvisation in collegiate class piano. A total of 15 undergraduate students enrolled in their first year of class piano participated in the semester-long study. At the end of instruction, each student performed and improvised two tunes both vocally and instrumentally. Three independent judges rated recordings of student performances using rating scales designed to measure tonal, rhythm, expressive, and improvisation skills. Quantitative results showed that an aural approach to improvisation in collegiate class piano may have led to improved music achievement.