How to get started with Forrest Kinney's resources
The late, great creativity pedagogue left a vast array of publications — here's a guide
Whenever a creativity newbie asks about including improvisation in their lessons, you’re bound to see Forrest Kinney’s resources being recommended.
And with good reason: not only did he develop an effective method for teaching creativity, but he was a very kind and generous guide.
Moreover, he covered many different aspects of creativity. As well as specific publications on improvisation, arrangement, interpretation, he also explored the philosophy, motiviation, and practise of creativity in thoughtful books and essays.
When presented with such a cornucopia of knowledge, it’s tricky to know where to start! This post will help.
Rather than trying to present an overview, I’ve tried to imagine all the common situations you might want to explore creativity.
If you’ve never improvised before
I recommend buying Create First: Solo 1 and working through the videos in this playlist (example below) as you work through the book. This is a wonderfully gentle introduction, and Forrest Kinney’s extremely calming voice is a real balm if you’re feeling a little out of your comfort zone!
If you’ve improvised before but have never taught it before
I recommend buying Create First: Duet 1 (available as a very affordable studio license) and working through the videos in this playlist before you start teaching.
The duet version is the best way to begin teaching this, because you are in charge of harmony while your student is in charge of melody. This division of labour is a lovely way to ease them in to the process, and works with elementary and intermediate students of all ages.
If you’re nervous, just pick one piece, learn it thoroughly, and then try it out with several students.
If you find that you’d like more guidance with teaching improvisation, this is a speciality of mine. Please get in touch: hello@pianocreativity.com. I’d be happy to help.
If you’re working with an intermediate pianist who has never been creative before
I’d recommend buying the Create First! Set (studio license available) which includes the solo and duet versions for levels 1 and 2, then use the following method for each piece.
First, using the Duet version, get your student to play the “Top” while you play the “Bottom”
Once they’re confident, swap roles. This puts your student in charge of harmony and structure, which is a completely different skill set that is essential for success with step 3
Finally, assign practise of the Solo version of the piece
Alternatively, use the same method with the Pattern Play series published by RCM Publishing between 2010 and 2012. See the video below. I first became familiar with Forrest Kinney’s work through these books—I really love the pieces and use them all the time—but they’re less easy to access outside of North America, with delivery times of a few weeks, and they don’t have the accompanying videos. Even so, I highly recommend them. I think the layout is more effective than Create First (though not enough to make a big difference) and I really love some of the pieces.
If you’re working with a student who only wants to play songs they know
While some students aren’t interested in improvisation, almost every student is interested in learning to play songs they already know.
Forrest Kinney’s Puzzle Play is an excellent introduction to arranging. I’d recommend getting the Puzzle Play PDF set, which includes the Prep, 1-A and 1-B books (studio license available).
Each book is a series of step-by-step guides to arranging well-known melodies like Happy Birthday, Silent Night, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Amazing Grace, Auld Lang Syne, and Greensleeves. In 1-B there’s also Let It Be (The Beatles), Blowin’ In The Wind (Bob Dylan), Imagine (John Lennon) and Stand By Me (Ben E. King).
Prep is suitable for students between Prep-Grade 2.
1-A and 1-B are more suitable for Grades 3-5, though you might want to go through the Prep book with them too.
Once you’ve gone through the appropriate your student has an excellent grasp of the elementals of arranging suitable to their level, and you can begin to help them to explore their own choice of repertoire.
If you’re working with someone with a very clear genre preference
Forrest Kinney’s books are great for students who are interested in:
music in general
“peaceful piano” or “new age” music
common pop and rock styles of the 20th century
a basic introduction to some jazz, classical or world styles
If your student is specifically interested in diving deep into one single genre (jazz, classical, world) Forrest Kinney’s books may be too general to be the right resource. In future posts I’ll explore some resources for these genres.
Find out more
Here’s a webinar where Forrest Kinney’s duet partner, Andrea Rackl, explains and demonstrates how she uses Forrest’s resources. She’s clearly got a deep understanding of the resources and has used them for many years.
Here’s an encouraging recording of an improvisation workshop Forrest Kinney gave to classical teachers.
Good to know
Forrest Kinney felt it was very important that his resources were accessible, regardless of financial situation. You can apply for free access to 7 books, including Create First Duet and Solo 1 and Puzzle Play Prep and 1a and 1b here.
You can also download a free sampler of many of his products, including some pages from the books I’ve mentioned, here.
Finally…
…the Royal Conservatory of Music put together a very beautiful video about Forrest Kinney here, which I highly recommend. It explains his method and his motivations very clearly and it’s a wonderful tribute. It bought tears to my eyes!
Help me out! Have I missed anything? What are your favourite Forrest Kinney resources? Do you have any useful tips?