When it comes to improvising, students often seem to have an underlying belief: you need a lot of theory knowledge just to start. Things like scales, chords, theory, patterns, etc… Sure, those things all have their place. 

But you don’t need them to start. 

There’s a great story about pianist Bill Evans:

A young Evans was playing the song ‘Tuxedo Junction’ with a local dance band. At one point, he added a little bluesy lick to the stock piano part. That moment was a catalyst for him. He realized that he could improvise additions to the music, and that was exhilirating.

I had this type of experience with a student named Mike during a lesson. He wanted to improvise, but didn’t think he was ready. Toward the end of a lesson I told him “Let’s improvise together.” He hesitantly said yes. 

I laid out the parameters, and three minutes later he was improvising on the blues with me. He surpised himself, and loved it. A simple framework was all he needed to begin.

You can get off the ground pretty quickly. Then, the rest of the knowledge can be added in incrementally. We play first, then add theory.