Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Over the course of 4 weeks, we will learn about how scales, music theory and harmony can help us improvise both as a soloist, in duets and when performing as a group. We will play repertoire that includes improvisation and devise our own graphic scores to perform as a group.
What will we cover?
We will look at and try several different styles of improvising ranging from classical, jazz, contemporary, free improvisation and everything in between!
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Have tried out several different ways of improvising both on your own and in groups.
Will have devised your own improvisation scores.
Will have some recordings of your improvisations (optional).
Will have practice strategies on improving your improvising techniques.
Will have performed both in smaller groups and as a class.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is open to a wide range of abilities, so you can sign up at whatever stage you are in your learning. You will need to be able to read basic music notation and play hands together.
Whilst this is primarily a piano improvisation course, if you are an instrumentalist or singer interested in this course, do get in touch for more information.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Improvisation offers a welcoming performance space free from the worries of making mistakes or getting it wrong. We warmly encourage students who wish to gain confidence in performing to give it a go!
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Music and specialised materials for demonstrations will be provided.
Please bring:
Manuscript paper
Pencils and an eraser
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a wide range of piano classes from beginner to advanced levels. If you are new to City Lit piano classes, please take a moment to read our Piano Department page, which lists our full sequence of piano classes.
Maya-Leigh Rosenwasser is a performer, improviser, composer and researcher specialising in performing and composing works for piano (solo and chamber), live electronics and multi-disciplinary ensembles. She graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2018 with a BMus in Classical Piano Performance and later, a Masters of Music (Distinction) from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Notable performances include solo recitals at Kyrios Steinway Gallery, Leeds International Piano Competition, Oxford University, Bishopsgate Institute, Cafe Oto, Snape Maltings and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. Alongside her busy and eclectic performance career, Maya-Leigh has extensive teaching experience working with students of all ages including leading Higher Education workshops and performance classes at Trinity Laban. She firmly believes that music should be accessible and enjoyable at every level and that learning the piano can be such a rewarding and confidence building experience as an adult. She has ran piano workshops and community classes in the Pianodrome, Farnham Maltings, The Artsdepot and Finchley Youth Theatre.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/piano-introduction-to-improvisation3024355Piano: introduction to improvisationhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/piano-workshop-4-1024_1.jpg9999GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Piano workshops22851314135115501228513141351<p>This improvisation short course is an accessible and friendly introduction to the many different ways we can improvise on our instruments!</p>003024349Piano: introduction to improvisation9999https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/piano-workshop-4-1024_1.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-07-20T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJul 2026Performing artsME9299999Piano: introduction to improvisation996999Maya-Leigh Rosenwasserpiano-introduction-to-improvisation/me929-2526<p>This improvisation short course is an accessible and friendly introduction to the many different ways we can improvise on our instruments!</p>0000-Available|2026-07-20 00:00:00<p>Over the course of 4 weeks, we will learn about how scales, music theory and harmony can help us improvise both as a soloist, in duets and when performing as a group. We will play repertoire that includes improvisation and devise our own graphic scores to perform as a group.</p><p>This improvisation short course is an accessible and friendly introduction to the many different ways we can improvise on our instruments!</p><p>We will look at and try several different styles of improvising ranging from classical, jazz, contemporary, free improvisation and everything in between!</p><ul><li>Have tried out several different ways of improvising both on your own and in groups.</li><li>Will have devised your own improvisation scores.</li><li>Will have some recordings of your improvisations (optional).</li><li>Will have practice strategies on improving your improvising techniques.</li><li>Will have performed both in smaller groups and as a class.</li></ul><p>This course is open to a wide range of abilities, so you can sign up at whatever stage you are in your learning. You will need to be able to read basic music notation and play hands together.</p><p>Whilst this is primarily a piano improvisation course, if you are an instrumentalist or singer interested in this course, do get in touch for more information.</p><p>Improvisation offers a welcoming performance space free from the worries of making mistakes or getting it wrong. We warmly encourage students who wish to gain confidence in performing to give it a go!</p><p>Music and specialised materials for demonstrations will be provided. </p><p>Please bring:</p><ul><li>Manuscript paper</li><li>Pencils and an eraser</li></ul><p>City Lit offers a wide range of piano classes from beginner to advanced levels. If you are new to City Lit piano classes, please take a moment to read our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/choosing-piano-class-city-lit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Piano Department page</a>, which lists our full sequence of piano classes.</p>MusicPiano workshopsvirtual999969ME929NONEMon20/07/26 - 03/08/2618:30 - 20:3018:3020:303 sessions (over 3 weeks)31 to 4 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMaya-Leigh RosenwasserSome experienceAvailable courses2026-07-20T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Performing arts9999Piano: introduction to improvisationpiano-introduction-to-improvisation/me929-2526<p>This improvisation short course is an accessible and friendly introduction to the many different ways we can improvise on our instruments!</p>0000-Available|2026-07-20 00:00:00<p>Over the course of 4 weeks, we will learn about how scales, music theory and harmony can help us improvise both as a soloist, in duets and when performing as a group. We will play repertoire that includes improvisation and devise our own graphic scores to perform as a group.</p><p>This improvisation short course is an accessible and friendly introduction to the many different ways we can improvise on our instruments!</p><p>We will look at and try several different styles of improvising ranging from classical, jazz, contemporary, free improvisation and everything in between!</p><ul><li>Have tried out several different ways of improvising both on your own and in groups.</li><li>Will have devised your own improvisation scores.</li><li>Will have some recordings of your improvisations (optional).</li><li>Will have practice strategies on improving your improvising techniques.</li><li>Will have performed both in smaller groups and as a class.</li></ul><p>This course is open to a wide range of abilities, so you can sign up at whatever stage you are in your learning. You will need to be able to read basic music notation and play hands together.</p><p>Whilst this is primarily a piano improvisation course, if you are an instrumentalist or singer interested in this course, do get in touch for more information.</p><p>Improvisation offers a welcoming performance space free from the worries of making mistakes or getting it wrong. We warmly encourage students who wish to gain confidence in performing to give it a go!</p><p>Music and specialised materials for demonstrations will be provided. </p><p>Please bring:</p><ul><li>Manuscript paper</li><li>Pencils and an eraser</li></ul><p>City Lit offers a wide range of piano classes from beginner to advanced levels. If you are new to City Lit piano classes, please take a moment to read our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/choosing-piano-class-city-lit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Piano Department page</a>, which lists our full sequence of piano classes.</p>MusicPiano workshopsconfigurable
