Video: Self-Expressive Improv, Part 1
An invitation to explore self-expressive “free” improvisation, in which, as we say in Music for People, “there are no wrong notes.” (I blogged about the comedy of errors I experiened making these videos here.) These videos are cross-posted with my other blog.
Ok, you convinced me to give it a try. My goal is still to improvise within more structured frameworks that work with others, but this certainly won’t hurt.
I do believe that your so-called “wrong notes” seem to be quite well in tune relative to each other, even the dissonances. Now, if only all my so-called “right notes” were well in tune.
What a wonderful demonstration of the reasons for everyone to try improvising, plus it’s a great continual example of things to try. But I am jealous of your ability, as a cellist, to play beautifully shaped notes while you talk. Not so easy on the horn, although I can hum and play at the same time!
I find Professor Edberg’s introduction to improvisation inspiring,
and his opening lines suggest to me a keen understanding
of the direction of phrases. I think every musical center
or community should consider improvisation sessions or
performances, of different types, free conversation between
instruments, or free solo improvisation.
This contrasts with the idea of variations, which is so similar
to jazz, and both are essential traditions. I like the way Eric illustrates
his experience and the history of improvisation with phrases
and tones on the cello.
An improvisor often absorbs the concepts in a written piece as
‘material’ of various kinds, patterns, shapes, modulations. He or
she treats them as only a few among many other possibilities.
Musical phrases appear as ideas that can be extensively altered or developed, more than in the sense of musical ‘development’ within
a single piece. Of course, these possibilities raise questions about
tonality and musical style, but they also provide an important forum
in which to address such questions.