Abegg

I don't think it's qualitatively different from sitting down at the keyboard and improvising until something comes up that seems worth pursuing, or even pulling ideas arbitrarily out of nowhere — think of Schumann's "Abegg" Variations, or the "BACH" (or even "DSCH") motive.

Spark plugs and transmissions Matthew Guerrieri 2008

A second marshal, Theodore Abegg, 31, was in fair condition for a gunshot wound to the ankle.

Marshal shootings reflect violent year for police 2011

A nod to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Schumann, later this year, came in the form of his Variations on the Name "Abegg."

In performance: Sara Daneshpour 2010

Last January, German manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg introduced to the U.S. an air-conditioning fan blade for commercial cooling systems called the Owlet.

Mother Nature, Design Guru 2008

So, actually, if you listen carefully, there's supposed to be five variations on this Abegg theme.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic Jennifer Lin 2004

It's called "Abegg Variations" by Robert Schumann, a German 19th century composer.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic Jennifer Lin 2004

It's called "Abegg Variations" by Robert Schumann, a German 19th century composer.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic Jennifer Lin 2004

What I do first is, I make a lot of little musical ideas -- you can just improvise here at the piano -- and I choose one of those to become my main theme, my main melody, like the Abegg that you just heard.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic Jennifer Lin 2004

What I do first is, I make a lot of little musical ideas -- you can just improvise here at the piano -- and I choose one of those to become my main theme, my main melody, like the Abegg that you just heard.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic Jennifer Lin 2004

So, actually, if you listen carefully, there's supposed to be five variations on this Abegg theme.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic Jennifer Lin 2004