Learn to improvise. 2004-2005. Lesson 22: play exciting.

The development of tension is realized by volume, pitch, complexity of structure and speed. We see the same in many things in nature: sex, of course, but also the growth of plants, inventions. They too have peaks and falls in the speed and energy with which they develop.

The usual way is a quiet introduction, then an increase and decrease of tension like a hilly landscape. The artist knows with the right dosage of it to lead his audience through the emotion. Every peak is preceded by a preparation and closed with a solution. If a climax gives the impression to be the last one, but it isn't, the effect of the next one is extra strong.

Even a simple song like 'It's a long way to Tipperary' has peaks and falls.
Chord scheme of the song 'It's a long way to Tipperary'.
Hear the song 'It's a long way to Tipperary'.
We will follow the peaks and falls of this song in the next table.
Hear the pieces of the following table separated.

It's a [C] long way to Tipperary,	Introduction, still without tension.
It's a [F] long way	Mini-climax.
to [C] go.	Solution of the mini-climax.
It's a long way	New quiet preamble.
to Tippe-[Am]-rary,	Expectation of 2nd climax.
To the [D7] sweetest girl	2nd Climax.
I [G7] know.	Solution of the 2nd climax and Expecting more by not closing with C-chord.
(rest)	Silence for extra tension later on.
Good [C] bye,	Preamble still with little tension.
Picca-[C7]-dilly.	Start of climax with already some tension.
Fare-[F]-well	Very near climax.
Leicester [E7] Square.	Highest climax.
It's a [C] long, long way to	Coming to rest after the climax.
Tippe-[F]-ra-[C]-ry	Mini-climax with solution.
But my [D7] heart is	A last small climax.
[G7] right [C] there.	A clear finish.

Hear the song 'It's a long way to Tipperary' with some breaks etc.

HOMEWORK: Don't play everything equally flat, but try to keep your playing lively by entertaining and understandable course of tension, preferably resulting in a climax near to the end.