モチーフの即興例〜ニ短調 / 日々、繰り返しの中で生まれた考え

English version/Motif Improvisation Example – D Minor / Thoughts from Daily Repetition

I have shared various arrangements and improvisations in my videos and audio recordings, explaining how to perform them.

What I want to convey is the basic common language in music—chords.

You don’t need complex harmonies, but creating music using basic chord progressions is important. This is especially useful when preparing for a graded exam.

Motif Improvisation Example (Minor Key)

This exercise is inspired by a piece from the book “Piano Improvisation Method” (p.87).

While this motif can be played in both major and minor keys, I chose a minor key (D minor) for this example. The structure follows A – B – A form.

Key Modulation in the Improvisation

The piece starts in D minor, then transitions to F major, its parallel major key. This shift brightens the mood and creates contrast.

However, it’s important to remember how to return to D minor; otherwise, you might stay in F major indefinitely. Make sure to keep track of the chord progression that leads back to the original key.

Sheet Music & How to Use It

I have handwritten the sheet music for this example. Please feel free to use it as a reference.

🔗 Download here (For personal use only. The link may be removed without notice.)
[Google Drive Link]

• Red marks indicate the motif.
• Blue marks show where the key changes to F major.
• Green marks highlight the chord progression that brings the piece back to D minor and the A section.

If you’re struggling with chord progressions, try playing along with this example. Also, be mindful of the ending chord—since there is no introduction, a long ending might feel unbalanced.

My Thoughts on Music & Expression

Music is “raw” (Nama), meaning “alive,” and it is also “Sei” (life, existence).
For me, it is both.

Music is something alive—just like words, expressions, and emotions.

It is deeply connected to feelings, and often, something invisible is present in the sound. (This may sound spiritual, but it’s not about religion.)

Sheet Music: A Tool, Not the Final Answer

Musical notation is an important tool for communication, but if we focus only on the written notes and symbols, music becomes dull and lifeless.

Sure, sheet music provides a universal way to convey information, but that alone does not make music truly expressive.

What matters is whether the sound is simply being played or if it carries emotion and depth. To move the listener, the latter is essential.

Explaining Dynamics (𝑓) in a Different Way

How would you explain 𝑓 (forte) to a child?

It might sound silly, but here’s how I would describe it:

Imagine you see a huge shadow slowly appear on the roof of a shopping mall.
Then, a giant dinosaur emerges, walking toward you.
As it moves, the ground cracks beneath its massive feet.

In this context, 𝑓 (forte) represents:

• Fear
• Power
• Something overwhelming

If this kind of imaginative description is missing, 𝑓 will only be interpreted as “play louder,” which is not enough.

When performing or teaching, if both people share an intuitive understanding, even without words, then 𝑓 will naturally make sense.

But if interpretation is limited to symbols, music loses its true essence.

The Importance of Imagination in Music

Music without imagination is boring, disappointing, and lifeless.

How does the other person perceive the music?
What images, emotions, or experiences come to mind?

Hearing these interpretations can be fascinating and surprising.
It also creates a sense of respect, curiosity, and trust between musicians.

This is how I build my relationships with others.

Using Instagram for a Different Approach

On my Instagram Highlights, I post cooking videos—not just for cooking, but as a strategy to promote my music.

I want to enjoy social media, so I plan to create original recipes as well.

Cooking requires following a process to create something delicious.

• Selecting the right ingredients
• Preparing them properly
• Cooking at the right time and temperature
• Adding seasonings in the correct order

Every step has meaning—just like in music.

Discipline & Creativity in Music

Some people can create music naturally because they already have the process in their mind or can feel it instinctively.

But for those who don’t, random playing won’t work.
First, you need to learn the basics and train until it becomes natural.

It takes time, but that effort is what makes it truly valuable.

The Reality of Music

Serious music is exhausting.
That’s my honest feeling.

Joy and fulfillment in music are far away—they don’t come easily.

But when you finally reach that moment, you might think,
“I could die now, and I wouldn’t regret it.”

That’s why, for me, life, death, and music exist in a single straight line.

Conclusion

This article is a mix of practical improvisation techniques and personal reflections on music.

If you try the motif improvisation in D minor, you might discover something new in the process.

Music is more than just notes. It’s a living expression of thought and emotion.