BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
20 / 18210 · Module 1 — The Keyboard as a System← prev⊞ allnext →

1.20Mini improvisation exercise

Put your left hand on a low C.

Don't change it.

With your right hand, use only white keys:

C D E F G A B

C D E F G A B

Don't try to make a sophisticated melody.

Just explore.

But repeatedly finish phrases on:

C

Notice how C feels settled.

Then purposely finish a phrase on:

B.

It feels unfinished.

Now play:

B → C

B → C

That's the simplest example of harmonic gravity.

In scale degrees:

7 → 1

This is why B is called the leading tone in C major.