In this course, pianists will learn to take pieces that they are currently playing and use these pieces as a basis for improvisation. By analyzing the harmonic, rhythmic, and formal structure of the music they are studying, they will explore how to use this information to stimulate their ability to improvise. Each week will feature a short lecture demonstration showing how various classical forms such as theme and variations (Bach’s Goldberg Variations, Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, Brahms Variations on a theme of Handel and Lutoslawski’s Variations on a theme of Paganini), the development sections in various sonatas and symphonies of Mozart and Beethoven, and various written out cadenzas by Mozart and others will be explored. The improvisations of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea will also be discussed. The role of improvisation in contemporary music will also be examined. Each week students will be asked to prepare short improvisations based on the concepts discussed in class. By the end of the class students will learn how to improvise over simple harmonic progressions, how to develop rhythmic and melodic motifs, how to improvise melodies over ostinato bass lines, and how to improvise freely.