Do you think you need to constantly learn new techniques to get good at piano improvisation? Do you believe that getting one more technique under your belt will make you a better player?

Nope. Not going to happen.

If your piano improvisations sound boring it can only be for one reason. It's because you're bored!

It's not the piano or the chords you know or any one of a hundred different things you tell yourself you need before you can sound "good" on the piano. No. The problem is not with technique or chords. It's with you.

Listen to this - if you're bored when playing the piano your mind is elsewhere. When this happens the music that comes out of you will reflect this. It won't have that quality you want it to have.

The solution is to BECOME AWARE of your mental state. If you're bored or your mind is on other things, simply acknowledge this silently and refocus on the music. If this doesn't work, get up and move on to something else. Your piano isn't going anywhere. You can always come back to it later.

Look, I know how frustrating it can be when nothing is happening. You want to play. You feel like playing. But nothing is coming out. You're bored, frustrated, and upset. You may even think the creative muse has left the building. The truth is, there will be those times.

If nothing is coming through, forcing it won't work either. There are those who suggest you stick with it until you come out on the other side. This may or may not work. Just remember not to work against yourself and that your piano improvisations will come to life when you are truly present with the music.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!