Free Improvisation in D Major (Ionian Mode) -- piano solo

[TheSofty911]

That's insane..

[pliuworld]

Beautiful partly because you are blessed with a big left hand for some great sounding voicing. One question on the theory, I thought D Major in Ionian mode starts with E, not from D; and it ends at D, not C#.

[ZelekxDD]

this made me cry and i dont cry easily...

[khzzang9]

wow i feel sleepy already after all that schoolwork and listening to this,, i think i'll go to sleep thanks!

[robertanthonyfarrell]

Sorry if this question has already been answered, but could you tell me what software you are using for the notation and quantising ? Thanks. :)

[TheMusikpoet]

What a great Feeling this is the way to make very good music--- thanks

[jjtyler21]

It takes away from the improvisation when you have the sheet music like that.

[Lawrerensongerer]

sounds like classy elevator music....NOT saying its bad sound really good. it just sound like something you would here in an elevator.

[Bostonian91]

Are you a professional??



[Barisof]

Very interesting !

[bino205]

tres  belle accord mon amis

[BillyWillis89]

Makes me wonder how notation software would try to quantitize my improvisation; rubato really freaks it out! I understand why you have that on though. You are offering proof that it is in fact only 7 notes, good for you. Awesome ear man!

[7notemode]

@crazyghetto978818 I'm glad it was helpful!

[musicalrt]

Your sense of melody - your ability to play what you hear - your lack of overplaying...

7notemode, I think I love you. God dammit

[29young]

What a wonderful way to start the day. Some of the most beautiful pieces look simple on paper or from the note choices yet are able to stir the most complex emotions. Afterall, Bach pretty much boiled it down to 1,4,5 right? and look at all that's come from that. It's infinite.

[7notemode]

@29young Thanks!

[musodave]

Bravo! Just shows what can be done within a single major scale

[Chileanskies]

amazing!, congrats!. i have a question though. Why exactly this piece is modal instead of tonal? i still hear the fifth grade dominant as the main tension in the piece.

i have some trouble figuring the difference between mayor and ionian.

[Princey1512]

awesome stuff - i love you xD

[chickandnyd]

Awsome bro!!!

Please, which software do you use to create this keyboard interface?

[MrAlejandronieto]

hello, that software used to display the piano?

I want to upload some videos with many concepts of latin jazz.

thanks

[mrtvatube]

very nice a lot of emotion

[SourPuddle]

I do exactly the same thing, except on marimbas and vibraphones. Great way to learn a scale, that's for sure.

[guitarralaraja]

this is a beutiful piece.

excellent.

It doesnt sound like any mode, i mean, IT'S ONLY MUSIC TO MY HEARS!! i hear nothing but music =)

EXCELLENT!

[jamesmcrae83]

That was beautiful my man!! I am motivated to practice more- Thanks!!

[Malm0]

Is this the original sound of the CP300? It sounds much richer than I expected in that case. And yes, as always, good work! I think it's amazing how certain notes automatically sounds relaxing.. :)

[CtrlAltDaLEET]

you came up with all that, just using the major scale

this man is living proof that music is boundless

[mzshy0812]

beautiful!!!!!!! =)

[lucamadeus]

this is the Beauty, I always come back here like a pilgrimage :)

[theivoryhermit]

So, what did you do to become so fluent with this sort of harmony? I'm quite keen to know

[7notemode]

@theivoryhermit Thanks, nothing but playing a lot within the idiom. I improvise while limiting myself to certain scales or modes. It narrows the choices and challenges me to do more from a limited palette.

[mrmorksstuff]

beautiful..thank you........

[theivoryhermit]

Man, that was beautiful. What did you do to get so fluent with that sort of harmony? That sort of Americana/Bruce Hornsby sort of thing

[alvovc]

Beautiful. When I improvise I find it hard to add melody to it. I can do a lot harmonically with D major but my piano skills aren't great enough to play figure out melodies as well... but you have hit the spot!

[7notemode]

@alvovc Thanks alvovc!

[jpoliver2222]

I"d buy that!

[Fagleboo]

Greetings 7notemode!

Fantastic video. Do you feel that you could have gone "longer" (made it even better) if you were able to modulate around and use other chords than in one mode? When watching this I realize that I should spend more time improvising in the church modes alone, there is so much to be done and 7 minutes to be filled:) Great work.

[Lot2learn]

Just revisited this and have to say it is one of my favorites. Extremely powerful - this goes on your CD for sure.

[7notemode]

Thanks, Roger!

[freemusic1979]

expressive...

[DonFrankos]

nice sound! I like to do such type of pieces in D Flat major, works really well too.

question: you play and the computer writes down what you play in notes? what software do you use?

thanks for posting this by the way, it was very nice to listen to!

[7notemode]

DonF: I use GarageBand for the transcript and MidiKeyz for the digital piano. I layer in ScreenFlow

[dn101]

This immediately reminds me of Alan Silvestri's composition for Cast Away. Really cool how this turned out. +1

[soundwriter01]

I just can't stop listening to this piece... tryin' to learn it. Is the midi file available along with the sheet music? I'm willing to pay for it.

[7notemode]

Thanks so much, soundwriter, No transcript available.  Sorry about that!

[humperdinkstober]

One of the best pieces of improvisation I've heard for a long time, so expressive.Beautiful.

Humperdinkstober

[MemoryofLightwaves]

What if you were to play D Major(Dorian Mode) ... would the chord progression for the left hand bass have to be within the 7 notes you hit with the right hand or could it be any note with the D major scale? Sorry, I'm new to improvising and just trying to understand how this works ...

[7notemode]

Yes the bass notes are also part of the 7 note scale. Part of this piece is played using chords made up from the scale and parts of it are 'pan-tonal- where any of the 7 notes are used and there is not a traditional chord structure.

[MemoryofLightwaves]

@7notemode Thanks a lot that really helped me :)

[Arjetube]

why didn't you just play in C ?

[7notemode]

Every major key sounds a little different because of the overtone structure. I also have an improvisation in C posted.

[Arjetube]

ah yes,

you are right. its fine art. keep on!

i personaly also love to vamp on the piano.

[kokostudioku]

beautiful....i can hear your heart singing...

[7notemode]

Thank you kolkostudioku.

[beethovenbd]

good to see improv isn't dying out completely ^^ even though it's been some time I uploaded an improv...well done.

[radiokid2]

People mention all the wonderful harmony here that comes from the 7 notes scale...but what I hear (which is more amazing) is that this is one long, lyrical song of praise or something...you could put words to it..!

Respect from me dude..!!! I'm sure you have lightened the load for the multitudes who have watched this!

[7notemode]

Thanks, radiokid2, I appreciate it.

[sexypoetry]

i am starting the pole shift survival group.

let me know if u r interested.

[fenix9885]

Wow, man, that was amazing! You have a wonderful gift for music. Now can you do a little tutorial to give people a better idea of what your doing? I know its only 7 notes, but your playing some pretty complicated stuff that Id love to hear more about

[katherinnnnne]

Ooo, good chord at 1:12

[streetskating123]

i really enjoyed the movement and voicings over the second and sixth modes... your use of dissonance with tighter chords was perfect it wasn't over done and always placed perfectly.. i really enjoyed the bass movement around 4:24.. lydian was beautiful

[claitontesch]

very good!!!!

[pianoxman]

this pc. is absolutely wonderful. I'm going to broaden my horizons and learn this approach. Thanks.

[7notemode]

Thanks pianoxman, and thanks everyone for the encouragement. :-)

[esaurito30]

wonderfull!!! ;-)  5*****

[teflo2]

Hey 7 note;

I don't know if you're married or not, or even have a girlfriend, but from a woman's point of view, that piece is sooooo beautiful that if you tell a woman you wrote it for her (provided she doesn't know better), she's a goner! Awesome piece. I hear your heart in the music. Beautiful!

[paatapiano]

This is Great, thanks...

[riam76]

Sounds very much like Jarrett

[jazzman1945]

You hear a lot of K. Jarrett?

[flythrough123]

Hey 7,

1. Maybe free-form thing, but certainly good enough for the movies. You're a really fine pianist, and this piece has real merit.

2. I'll be buying some of your stuff in a month or so. Classical; (met BLS once), really rusty. I need the written transcripts to shorten the curve. Do you put those in randomly, or do you have a transcript in each lesson? (I'll take them apart and make my own drills.)

Thanks much.

[7notemode]

I haven't quite got the editing of scores from midi files down yet, so just the one transcript on my website done by someone else. Maybe I'll get better at it! Thanks.

[goinxnginx]

While tenor sax is my primary instrument, I was inspired to improve my piano skills after hearing you play Stella by Starlight, and all the others, since you started posting. You will never know how much I appreciate your skills and talent. I would love to find a teacher with the "right" approach for me to learn to play better. Thanks for sharing your comments and your performances. I seem to remember NC is your state. I live in the Western end. You make us all proud!

[7notemode]

Thanks goingxnginx. I'm glad you found my videos helpful. That keeps me going. Regards from Raleigh.

[1979saxman]

If you're looking for the perfect sax teacher right here on youtube, look up Shawn Thunder Wallace. It doesn't get any better!

[Elfonto]

Hi man, It's 03:21 and i'm sat here almost crying. This is the most beautiful piece of music i've heard in a long time. I've been playing Piano for a while now and this, it's just amazing! Thank you!

[7notemode]

Thanks Elfonto.

[AGpraise]

DUDE , this is just beautiful. And the state of the art presentation is fantastic as well.

There are so many phrases that can be looped in a "worship" setting.

One can learn sooo much from this one performance.

It's a beautifully fluid heart felt improvisation 7notemode.

FANTASTIC JOB! Thanks be to God for the gift that you have shared with us Sir.

Stay Blessed!

Jesus Christ Is Lord Forever!

[7notemode]

Thanks you AGpraise.

[PSPGENIUS714]

This is awesome...

Btw what program did you use to get your piano/keyboard keys to show up onscreen and record sheet music with it? I know its MIDI...I've been lookng for software like this but never knew what the name was...can you tell me? lol :)

[7notemode]

PSPGenius, I used GarageBand on a Mac for the digital keyboard and score.

[PSPGENIUS714]

Ohhh, cooll.

[cursestar]

some of the most beautiful, most human sounds, in my opinion, come from improvisation.

you are actually fantastic, I hope to one day be as good as you but it seems pretty unlikely D:

[7notemode]

Thanks, cursestar. Embrace and enjoy your own playing, no matter what your level. It keeps you moving forward. Regards.

[maxmca]

beautiful! Is there any chance you could post up the sheet music as a downloadable file?

I'm classically trained... I'm at my best when the music is in front of me haha.

[7notemode]

One of these days, I'm going to learn Sibelius or a score program. I don't have the skills to edit it in software right now. Sorry.

[DanielDavisMusic]

Good Lord, this is amazing what you can do with only seven notes. This is very hymn-like, but I suppose it's the D Major that's making me think that. You've totally got my subscription, sir!

[squeekytoy123]

This is so beautiful... I'm a classicly trained pianist and it kills me how uncreative I am.

If I dont have a sheet of music in front of me I'm lost.

This is so beautiful and awe inspiring...

[7notemode]

Thanks, squeakytoy.

[PauloTozzi]

This is a beautiful composition beautifuly played!

[7notemode]

I like The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine. That might be a place to start -- plus private lessons if possible.

[brambau]

your playing is great and also your other jazz videos.

However this piece in DM is the antithesis of the term "free improvisation" Wikipedia has a good entry on it.

Free Improvisation has no key or meter.

A good example in my opinion is Cecil Taylor or the youtube title "Piano free improvisation" by the user:

follonic.

I think the basic meaning of the term as it is most commonly used is - atonal improvisation. It would be interesting to hear you do something completely wacko.

[quiescencemusic]

One of the most inspired and original piano improvisations I've heard in a long while! More of this please!

[7notemode]

quiescencemusic, Thank you, I appreciate it.

[kmbrunskill]

Nice.

[nake25]

do an improv on locrian.. it would be the saddest thing.. XD

[DieterFal]

Absolutely amazing! Great job you've done here!

Is it possible for you to post the score wich is in the video as a pdf-sheet or something?

[7notemode]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments.

[mamureck]

i'm a big fan of you. Your improvisation is a great poem!

Behind my screen i give you a big applause :)

[RedPortiaOne]

Very nice man!!!

[TheGreyMaster]

Fantastic!

[ministerioleaodejuda]

Muito bom!!!

é o que estava precisando para estudar e me aprofundar mais!!!

Fica na pax

Deus abençoe!!!

[Johanvibes]

This is beautiful !!!

Greetings from Holland.

Johan

[IceyMickey]

this is amazing - i wish to be able to do this one day :D

[herakles9]

Wonderful!

[Magrakamajiora]

HOW?

This is a beautiful style of playing, so many delicate layers and lightness, I'm an aspiring composer, I'd just like to know - is there a certain method behind this type of writing? It looks so complex - but not really. I write completely from ear as of now but I'm going to college for composition in the fall of this year.

[7notemode]

Thanks Magra,

I used only the seven notes of the D major scale, which informs my choices of what to play. Best of luck in college.

[jojocompas]

Do you have the PDF file for this one or let me know how I can acquire it?

Thanks

[7notemode]

jojocompas, I have tried downloading the midi file into a score program and it gets confused on the timing and left and right hands. Sorry, I don't have a PDF to share on this one.

[jojocompas]

Thanks, for answering so quick, do you know where I can download the midi file and how it's called?

[DukePukem]

thank you sooo much..

you have changed my world

[7notemode]

Thanks, DukePukem.

[139045610]

god bless you!!

[bbrryyaann21]

Incredible. I'm starting piano lessons on Wednesday, hopefully I'll understand exactly what you do and say in the language of music someday.

[Skyblueginger]

Great playing. Can't believe how many fantastic musicians are out there. You are an expert 7note and thanks for sharing your knowledge with the world.

[xToatsies]

gosh it doesnt sound nearly as complex as it looks =) thx

[onionROARS]

WOW~ I really love this piece.

It melts my heart.

Very intriguing (:

A really good one.

Great job!

[HwySix]

Do you have the pdf available for this one? I'm teaching myself composition and improvisation and would love to analyze this piece. It sounds wonderful and again.. very inspiring.

[7notemode]

HwySix, I'll put it on my to do list to upload to the website.

[lucamadeus]

so beautiful, I always come back here like a pilgrimage ;-)

did you install your Synthogy Ivory on a Macbook Pro?

[pianoboss1]

wow this is fantastic! i would love to know how you do this? do you think of your right hand as the melody and left as fill in? or another way?

[7notemode]

Thx, pianoboss1. I try to switch up melody leading between right and left hands and sometimes internal voice leading if I am able.

[MIQUELPLANETA]

Hey, thanks for that D Major song. I'm improvising over yours with my guitar.

[seanpianoman]

Thanks for the reply..the ivory steinway is a much more colorful sound and realistic..what i'm hearing is the cp300 is brighter and more percussive perhaps..would you agree..I need a sound that cuts through in studio recordings with a band..i think i'll have to go for the ivory steinway though..it's got such character..what do you think..

[seanpianoman]

Hi man..

Inspiring music..you should be composing film scores for a living..you'd be on the oscar nominations..

So this is the ivory steinway..it's sounds amazing..

Which do you prefer..the cp300 or the ivory steinway..

[7notemode]

Thanks Seanpianoman. I prefer the Ivory Steinway almost all the time. The Yamaha is good for cutting through a mix of instruments because it has a less complicated sound.

[seanpianoman]

What a sound..you're timing is amazing..brill musician..

[TeeLoWLoW]

Question: Did you do this using the harmonies of the major scale only? or did you also include the relative minor...im still learning so i can really tell.

[7notemode]

TeeLoWLoW, I tried to stay in D major, relative minor would have been B Dorian mode.

[TeeLoWLoW]

it would be kool if you did an improve in each mode :)

[chrismarx85]

I could actually read the notes!

Amazing!

[jaycaballero519]

I am truly inspired by your work. Thank you!

[88plays]

More! More! More! This is the exact style that we ATTEMPT to play in our church during meditation and worship. Very glad to get the theory to back it up! More please!

[lucamadeus]

I always come back to this masterpiece...this piano sounds so good, is it in the GarageBand pack?

[7notemode]

This is the Ivory Steinway Grand that can be hosted from within GarageBand.

[lucamadeus]

thanks a lot for the reply!

[mazetov]

très intéressante idée, magnifiquement interprétée.

[andersdrudjordan]

Great playing. Thanks for posting. the piece reminded me of Jarretts "Melody at night" as also commented below. 5x

[94090]

Hi,

What software are you using to display the notes like that?

Lovely playing by the way.

Regards

[7notemode]

I use GarageBand.

[DaveSolazzo]

Beautiful!

[calicoolboy]

How many times have you listened to Jarrett's Melody At Night With You album???

[volodian]

You managed keep it clean and true! Thank you! You can fly!

[smashhitster]

What beautiful music! The motifs remind me of some old great hymns. Brilliant work, as usual. Thank you!

[martanpianomann]

Very soulful. Excellent choices of voicings. Really enjoyed the music.

[lucamadeus]

absolutely wonderful, it reminds me some of Jarrett's solo live concerts...you're great!

[adonisvowsen]

it was inspiring!

[CharlieChimp26]

This brought tears to my eyes, it's absolutely beautiful, you are incredibly talented! I can't remember the last time I heard something as moving as this, so soothing. Thank you <3

[nethyphenvordotnet]

Masterpiece can be recognised that it's pure and it doesn't pretend. Like this. It reminds me some of the slow Šostakovič "Preludes and Fugues".

[GOTIRES]

am actually crying.Wow you are gifted

[7notemode]

Wow! Thank you so much.

[MarkusL2007]

Thanks for that beautiful insight into your musical thinking and emotion. Very well done (also the "split video" and realtime notation).

Piece,

Markus

[tjmpiano]

literally make me ache...it is so good...

Props

[cc17201]

this was great dude. . . the hardest part would be just using this modal notes, as it can be tempting to use different scales. . .thanks man

[Jonboyutube]

It's great to hear an exploration of a simple theme played so well. A fine demonstration of the beauty inherent in the fundamental structure of music.

[ShredGuitarGuy]

That was simply beautiful.

[fkaluza]

nice to hear, simply played - most difficult thing it is to play only sound that should be played an no other.

I realy like way you played this

[wadecottingham]

oh my goodness. You, sir, are extremely generous with your postings! As KJ said, "Music is not in the scale", and yet, sometimes it is!

[benweston2002]

Absolutely fantastic use of the modal scale, fantastic impro! Very inspiring, love all your stuff! Ben.

[maramazone]

I Like the contrast of dynamics and the stretch voicings, very beautiful. Sounds like film music to me!

[smurf8575]

Great stuff 7notemode, kinda reminds me of Keith Jarrett's solo stuff. Keep up the good work and keep the music coming!!!

[PianistaItaliano]

Music that emanates true emotions.

I think that in this "Improvisation" the meaning of the music has done its task.

Simply Great, thanks Tom.

[Vayshen]

Amazing, sir!

This is my favorite of all your works!

[stocksam]

good idea, to play only the ionian and not even a b9 of the dominant.

good playing as usual!

i'm looking forward for your next impro.

[jazzmaster7]

Ok...My mouse clicked the Favorite. Let me listen for a 3rd time. Simply put!....Beautiful playing.

[vesper8]

i'm speechless..

[juan20007]

very nice, i will get the most of it!

[BocaFriend]

Exquisite, Tom. This is a very special

listening experience. Best wishes.

[7notemode]

Thanks, BocaFriend...and Thanks everyone for all the generous comments.

[orgnkey]

Beautiful!!!!!

[TreeHuggerMark]

You are truly talented....thanks for sharing :)

[RL82]

good lord that was beautiful

[ankhaton]

YOU ARE SO GOOD - i HAVE NOT ENOUGH STARS FOR THAT - wow - you just play it - I had to study 4 month to have it right !!!!!!!!!

-

For my next life I have commanded some of thos musical genes and instruction at 3.

[nickvtintelenhotmai]

nicee