Introduction – (what is improvisation, how do musicians feel when challenged with it, why do musicians use it/its impact)
Google’s definition – “Improvisation, also called Extemporization, in music, the extemporaneous composition or free performance of a musical passage, usually in a manner conforming to certain stylistic norms but unfettered by the prescriptive features of a specific musical text.” Basically, it’s performing without sheet music or without an already created song.
Classical musicians tend to feel anxiety/ uncertainty when challenged with improvisation
Improvisation leaves people on the edge of their seats, it can be very unpredictable (like in Jazz) and it can push boundaries. Or, it can just look really impressive and it can help develop an idea for a new song. Allows uniqueness, because if you improv then you’re performing it in a way that it’s never been done before.
Fundamentals to achieve improvisation – theory, dynamics, timings, timbre, accentuation
Know your basics of music theory, how notes work, chords, voicings, rhythm and how melody work with it.
Need a strong sense of timing and dynamics, so you can be expressive.
Inspiration for improvisation – risk taking, playing in and out of the box, anecdotes, colour, ornamenting, freeing emotion
Don’t just play from a scale, push the limits, let your emotions control the dynamics and let your mind think about what you want to convey before playing any note.
Create a story from art, colour or just out of what you want the improvisation to convey, then get into character and just play what they’d feel.
how can you practice improvisation – embrace your mistakes, hear the next note in your head before you play, record yourself, practice half speed, allow yourself time to learn it, improvise from a starting point (a note, a chord progression, a scale, a rhythm, a pitch), throw yourself into the deep end, push boundaries.
improvisation games, like call and respond.
work with a metronome and learn your basics, then take it slow so you can think about what the theory is behind what you’re trying to play, eventually, it’ll come naturally.
why is improvisation important? – keep pushing boundaries, new sounds, better your understanding of the instrument, keep the audience interested.
Developing your sound as an artist, you can add your own little twists on things (like Ludovico tends to do a lot of arpeggios in the left hand etc).
Allows your music to come more expressive when you’re able to express yourself more, like by learning arpeggios etc.
Conclusion – (tips and personal opinion, how useful it is for live/ song writing etc.
How can I use this in my practice to improve my live performance and theory knowledge.