This is a good example of highly melodic improvisation. It comes from the first volume of my ongoing and occasional series, Piano Diaries. The challenge for me is to create accessible, relatable improvisations that don’t sound like new age, smooth jazz, simplistic pop…or in general dumbed-down. to the point of being sleep-inducing. The key to making it work? Develop improvisations thematically. In other words, stick closely to the theme, but don’t be afraid to develop it.