A Survey of Improvisation Activities in Average-Age Beginning Piano Method Series and a Sample Two-Year Improvisation Curriculum

Throughout music history, improvisation has always been part of piano learning and is a mode of expression for the creation of new music. Current research in music education, such as Dr. Edwin Gordon and others indicates that immersion in music improvisation is crucial in beginning students’ acquisition of music skills. However, recent studies demonstrate a continued lack of improvisation activities in their students’ piano studies that complement current research in music education, and fewer studies reviewed improvisation curricula in average-age piano methods. Therefore, there is a need for a study that examines the current state of the improvisation curriculum in available and widely used beginning piano methods aiding teachers to determine how to best incorporate improvisation in the piano lesson in the quest for improved curriculum design. The dissertation provides a brief history of keyboard improvisation, the importance of improvisation activities in piano learning, and the incorporation of improvisation activities in beginning piano method books. Eight beginning piano series, published in the last 30 years in the United States are selected based on the citation prevalence in recent books, articles, dissertations/theses, conferences, and showcases. These series include Hal Leonard Student Piano Library, The Music Tree, Piano Discoveries, Alfred’s Premier Piano Course, Succeeding at the Piano, Piano Adventures, Piano Safari, and Music Moves for Piano. The dissertation comprises a survey of improvisation activities in the eight selected beginning piano methods, accompanied by tables outlining improvisation activities for each book within these series. It includes a summary of discussions and comparisons of improvisation activities found in the selected method series on presentation, categorization, frequency, curriculum support, sequencing and progression aspects. Additionally, the study presents a sample two-year improvisation curriculum for beginning students to complement current curricula and contribute to further study.