Creating limits stimulates ideas

Some exercises I learned from Art Lande and W.A. Mathieu were to make up short 'Pieces' on the piano using restricted means. Example: Make a piece using only one note. (note: these pieces, which were demonstrated in a classroom format generally lasted from 30 seconds to 2 minutes more or less). Make a piece using just the 'A's on the keyboard. Make a piece using only the notes A and E. And then expanding gradually on that, make a piece using only the left hand. Make a piece using only topmost and bottommost octaves of the piano. The list goes on and on. The idea is that limits stimulate creativity-- like Stravinsky's famous quote.

Another way to get started

Another way to get started is to take a short fragment from a composition and use that as a springboard. The composition should not be one you know too well because you don't want to simply copy what the composer wrote.

Have something to say first

What is the balance between the technique to improvise and the talent to create at the required speed? It seems one without the other is not very helpful, but to have something to say first is where we must begin.

Getting Started

The best way to get started is to begin by asking a question.

What is the most effective approach to begin learning to improvise?