Peaceful Piano

In celebration of passing our 40th episode, this week is completely freeform piano improvisation with no theme. Pure exploration! Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

This episode explores many musical ideas before resolving and committing. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

This episode descends into darkness, then rising again into light, reflecting the winter solstice as we approach the longest night of the year. Peaceful Piano will be taking a break over the holidays, then back in January 2023 with new episodes. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

This episode reflects on the idea of falling snow, slowly filling in the world. It's a response to episode 32 "Rainfall", exploring similar themes with softer, more gradual passages of music. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

Meno mosso is one of those Italian musical terms that directs the tempo of a piece - it means to slow down and become less lively. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! This episode improvises on the classic Christmas carol. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

Arpeggios are broken chords, and they can make beautiful improvisation by being played back and forth, up and down. This is an encore episode from 2021. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

Music is a balance between repetition and variation. This episode explores moments of repetition and seeks to find that balance to create peaceful improvisation. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

Fall rain turns to winter snow in the mountains, leaving a stark line between the seasons. This episode shares a piece Abby recording in 2016 that reflects on this idea. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

In line with Halloween, this episode creates some gentle piano music that is played "misterioso" (or mysteriously) in a minor key. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

This episode explores the feeling of falling rain, with gentle improvised music. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

This episode explores the theme of forgiveness, moving from a darker minor key into a brighter place. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

Rests in music are spaces of silence. Where no notes are played, but the tempo of the music continues uninterrupted. This piece explores rests, big and small, long and subtle. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

Welcome back to season two! We're returning with the second piano song that I learned to play many years ago, and exploring it further. Got an idea for a future theme? Submit it here: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

A new season of Peaceful Piano is on its way, as the longer, colder, darker months of winter approach. If you'd like to suggest an episode theme for the upcoming season, fill in the form on my website: https://abbywilson.ca/peaceful-piano-podcast/

The last episode of the season, reflecting on some of the themes and ideas from previous episodes through peaceful improvisation.

Some quiet piano improvisation in honour of sleep. Or perhaps to help you sleep!

Limiting the right hand to a single note, this episode creates gentle music within the limitation. The left hand picks up the slack to carry the improvisation forward.

This episode celebrates the return of the light with spring time, staying in the upper half of the piano to hit higher, sparkling notes.

This episode improvises in Common Time to celebrate 4/4 (April 4th) where each measure has four beats of quarter notes. It's the most common time signature used in music.

The spring equinox has passed and the days are growing longer and lighter. This episode explores the feeling of spring with piano improvisation.

This episode shares the Ukraine National Anthem with a few gentle variations. There are many humanitarian organizations supporting refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. You can make a donation to the Canadian Red Cross's Ukraine Appeal here: https://donate.redcross.ca/

Reflecting on the theme of peace, this episode creates gentle music that flows from a sad minor melody into a more hopeful resolve.

No theme to celebrate the 20th episode - just freeform gentle piano improvisation and it goes where it goes.

With the left hand and right hand playing in different keys, this episode explores the theme of unity and works towards a resolution.

This episode creates some gentle music around the theme of romance for Valentine's Day.

Triplets are sets of 3 notes that appear in rhythms that would normally be broken into 2 or 4 notes. Triplets create variation and this episode explores triplets through improvisation.

An octave is a relationship between two notes where one pitch is double the frequency of the other. Octaves are another building block of music and this episode explores improvising with them.

This episode plays around with the melody of "Au clair de la lune", a French folksong which translates to "by the light of the moon".

Playing in the deep end of the piano, below middle C. This episode embraces the low notes with improvisation.

After a heavy snowfall at home, this episode explores the feeling of snow falling and drifting and filling in the world.

Hopefully there are still reasons to be hopeful. This episode improvises uplifting music that transitions from darker minor chords to brighter major progressions.

This episode breaks down the elements in the Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells" and improvises around them.

To celebrate this 10th episode, there is no theme or plan. This episode is just a few minutes of pure improvisation, keeping things peaceful and mellow as usual.

Lullabies are gentle songs designed to encourage sleep. In this episode, I share a lullaby I wrote for my daughter and explore it further with improvisation. Lyrics Sleep, sleep little mountain child, Sleep and dream of the wild. World fades, Into deep blue shade, As the valley wind blows mild. Dream, dream now my little one, Dream of moon and setting sun. Starlight, Dances clear and bright, For the day is nearly done. And the mountain peaks on high, Blush with rose across the sky. Alpenglow on glacier snow, Shines with final light. Time to say good night. Rest, rest my little dear, Rest and sleep now without fear. Dream on, Listen to this song. For you know your family's near.

Wind chimes are their own form of improvisation as the wind creates gentle music. This episode is based on the wind chimes outside my house, playing in the harmony of a pentatonic scale.

Hygge is a Danish word that describes a feeling of closeness, comfort, and coziness. This episode reflects on that feeling.

Arpeggios are chords broken down into individual notes. They make beautiful building blocks for improvisation.

With the seasonal time change, we explore falling back in time signatures. Time signatures help set the rhythm and feel of music by defining how many beats are in each measure and what type of note is a beat.

A few minutes of gentle piano improvisation exploring the darkness and quiet at nightfall.

With Halloween around the corner, this episode explores music that is eerie, dark, and beautiful.

There are many different types of transitions in music. Changes in time signature, key signature, tempo, mood, and more. This episode explores a number of different transitions through improvisation.

This first episode plays with the theme of "Beginnings" and starts where many pianists begin - at middle C, in the key of C major.

A short introduction to the podcast and a few minutes of gentle improvisation based on the theme music.