JAZZ TIME! The Innovative Art of Piano Improvisation

Sat, 6 Dec 2008
3.00 – 4.30pm
JAZZ TIME!: The Innovative Art of Piano Improvisation by ERIC LEE
Open Stage, library@esplanade

Join award-winning professional musician, Eric Lee, as he gives tips on making piano-playing fun for you and your kids. The workshop will focus on the innovative art of piano improvisation where you’ll learn how you can play music by patterns, progressions and by ear, rather than relying heavily on musical scores. Come be amazed by the sound of music!

Free admission, and no registration required.

(Ed: In the following bit, Eric explains what is improvisational piano and why he took to it...)

Hi readers,

I am Eric Lee, principal coach and director of Northwood Music,
a private boutique studio that champions the innovative art of improvisational piano methods to both young and old.

What is improvisational piano?

It refers to the ability to play music by ear rather than relying heavily on musical scores. This ability is based on a whole range of musical principles absent from the traditional “classical” approach.

In my years of experience as a musician, I realised that many pianists lack a deeper sense of musicianship. Pianists, it seemed to me, could play only if they had a score. Beyond that, they couldn’t play by ear, nor could they improvise beyond what was written.

When I was young, I was curious why lounge pianists could play endlessly without even flipping a score book. So I set out to venture into the wonderful world of improvisational pop and jazz.

Today, after winning numerous music and compositional awards in both the local and global scene, three critically acclaimed music albums, and having accumulated extensive experience in performing and teaching, I am deeply committed to developing this art form to all aspiring pianists who wish to play beyond the score, and to enjoy music as it is heard and felt, not just as it is written.

Time and time again, I have seen many people, especially absolute beginners, from young to old, picking up the piano in no time and learning to play many wonderful tunes!

Now, wouldn’t it be nice if you could do it too?

Ed: Yes, it would! So come join us for the workshop on 6 Dec 2008, and learn how! You can also visit Northwood Music’s website to find out how you can learn more about the innovative art of piano improvisation from Eric.

About Eric Lee

Eric Lee is a multiple-award winner and educator in both the academic teaching field as well as in the aesthetics arena.

He was Overall Champion of the Taiwan Young Stars Music Competition and was selected to be one of the top 10 songwriters in “Pop Sparks” Songwriters Showcase in Singapore Member of COMPASS (Composers, Authors, Society of Singapore).

He currently directs and oversees the Northwood Improvisational Curriculum Development.