If you've always wanted to improvise, but don't know how, here's a simple way to get started.
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't improvise on the piano or that it takes talent to do it.
Improvisation is a skill and like any skill, it can be acquired through practice.
It involves risk, but the rewards are very enjoyable.
1)Start with a very simple tune.
Memorize the melody.
For the purpose of this article, we'll choose "Happy Birthday".
2)Play it as written - no changes...
yet.
3)Now play the first line again.
This time try to alter the pitch and rhythm.
For example, if we're playing it in the key of F, the notes of the first phrase as written are: C C D C F E, two eighth notes followed by three quarter notes, then a half note, alter it like this:C D C B C D C F E, four sixteenth notes followed by five quarter notes.
4)Use the same patter for the next phrase: alter C C D C G F for C D C B C D C G F.
And so on and so forth for the rest of the song.
What you're trying to do is adding the neighboring notes and alter the rhythm of the original melody line.
Remember in jazz improvisation there's no one way to go about it.
This is a very simple way for you to get started.
Experiment with other tunes.
Use your ear to dictate what notes to use.
Soon enough you'll find other ways to improvise.
Be relaxed and have fun.
Practice slowly at first.
Slow down the tempo, if you're not used to sixteenth notes.
Try only the right hand first.
When you're comfortable with it, add your favorite left hand chord voicings to make it sound even better.