Improv Exchange #5

The seasons in this pastorale are changing or have changed. It is not a carefree walk down a sunny lane. There is a wisp of regret or melancholy. I love the openness of the harmonies that seem to accept any note in the key at any time. The measures expand and contract like breaths but donʼt call attention to themselves. The motives, likewise, circle back easily and naturally.

I enjoy keeping the left hand as it is and letting my right hand take off in flight. You could also drop the form entirely and play with the dominant-tending clusters over the Bb pedal. When you are ready, change the bass to scale degree 2 or 5 and repeat. Go ahead and give yourself a B section in the relative minor, but I don’t recommend spending too long there.

Letting go is part of life—maybe even a beautiful one.

Pastorale

Anne Farber