TIP: A Karimba Improvisational Strategy Part 4

Mixing it up on the left side

While the three lower right notes sound great together (the C#, B, and A from the previous tip), the best is when you can create melodies using both the lower row notes and the upper row notes.

Notice the pattern here – the first note of each measure is changing, but that changing note is answered by an unchanging two note phrase.

The long range plan in this series: the right thumb will play something low, strong, and supportive while the left thumb plays a dancing melody. Ultimately, I’d like you to be able to improvise on the left side.

This exercise lays the foundation for the left thumb dancing.